Sydney FC’s young star Indiana Dos Santos spent the Ninja A-League off-season learning to become a barista but the talented Sydney FC midfielder is not taking her eye off her football ambitions.
Dos Santos has been in a major rehabilitation battle since an injury to her right ACL in June 2025.
And time away from playing has given the 19-year-old a new perspective on just how determined she is to reach her football goals.
Even though Dos Santos was able to return to playing during the NPL NSW season almost a year to the day of her ACL, a new injury means she’ll be missing the start of the Ninja A-League season.
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Indiana Dos Santos made her return to competitive action for Bulls FC Academy in June.
Picture: Football NSW
A Lisfranc injury in her left foot suffered in a training session has Dos Santos hoping to return by mid-season.
The run of injuries is particularly trying for Dos Santos given she has not played in a Ninja A-League game since winning the 2024-25 Young Player of the Year award as a 17-year-old.
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“I think it’s definitely a mental battle because you’re constantly out on the sideline watching your team play, watching your team train, and you just want to be out in the field,” Dos Santos said.
“But I think it’s a good time to kind of reflect and build something that you can do. So for me, it was my mental health and [to] work on that and like become mentally stronger.
“I’ve been playing since I was four years old. So to have a massive break like that, it hurts.”
Dos Santos’ sister Jynaya has been key to keeping the rehab on schedule, particularly during the most challenging times with the ACL.
“I wouldn’t be able to do about my whole family, especially Jynaya,” Indiana said.
“She’s an inspiration because having an older sister that plays football and that wants to work hard every day and get better, it’s just it makes it so much easier for me.”
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Jynaya Dos Santos playing for Central Coast Mariners last season. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)
The sisters were teammates in NPLW at Bulls FC Academy before Indiana’s new injury, with Jynaya featuring prominently in the Bulls’ league and Grand Final double.
Most recently at the Mariners, 21-year-old Jynaya is now a Ninja A-League free agent.
The youngest of the four Dos Santos sisters, 16-year-old Kyani, played in the Western Sydney Wanderers U18 and U23 teams over winter as well.
“Going to watch my sisters play made me so motivated to get back on the pitch,” Indiana said.
“I don’t really know anything else but soccer and I yeah, I, I thought maybe if I this year will really tell me if I really miss it at all… I couldn’t keep my eyes off it.”
Dos Santos is optimistic about the new direction for Sydney FC in what will be coach James Slaveski’s first full season in charge.
Indiana dos Santos after winning the 2024/25 Young Player of the Year award. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images for A-Leagues)
The Sky Blues will be introducing three American imports – Faith Webber, Kenzie Roling and Kiley Dulaney – while other off-season recruits include Australia U23 midfielder Amy Chessari from Wanderers, standout NPLW defender Poppy Channing from University of NSW and the return of star goalkeeper Jada Whyman from AIK in Sweden.
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“It’s always good to have fresh ideas,” Dos Santos said.
“James’ style is something I really like.
“He wants us to play to feet, a tiki-taka kind of style. So, I love that kind of stuff.
Between the rehab and gym sessions, work in the family business has kept the entire Dos Santos family busy at their ice cream parlour, Bliss Ice Cream and Gelato in Shell Cove, about 20 minutes south of Wollongong.
But don’t expect a career change any time soon.
“I’m starting to be a barista now, so I’m learning to do that,” Dos Santos laughed.
“And yeah, it’s pretty busy with the weather now.
“At the moment I just want to be injury free, playing my best my best football. And yeah, obviously the national team is always the goal.”
Whilst Dos Santos won’t be in action this weekend her Sky Blues teammates will be, as they face Adelaide United on Sunday, October 18.
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