In 2017, the Colombian Vanessa Córdoba discovered that a soccer player has the power to generate changes as an activist in her social networks by denouncing that those selected from her country were ignored in the presentation of the official uniform, a situation that exposed gender inequality.
“People close to me tell me that either I am dedicated to playing or I am an activist, that is a misconception in soccer, they only want machines that do not think. American soccer players taught us that we are more than athletes, not to lift your voice is going to fail on the court, “the Mexican Queretaro goalkeeper explained to Efe this Saturday.
Her role as an activist led her to denounce to the Colombian authorities the precariousness that exists in women’s football in her country, in which the League is only played three months a year and the players do not make a living from football.
“Activism became my fuel in football. Winning titles is wonderful, but I think in the end it feeds the ego more than anything else. The change you can generate, the legacy you can leave, that is priceless and that is what It allows me to get up every day to continue giving everything, “he added.
The daughter of the former cancerbero, Óscar Córdoba, considered that her activism left her out of the Colombian team that went to the Pan American Games in Lima 2019, but that does not stop her rebellious spirit, which she considers natural in archers.
In Mexico, she tries to be one of the voices in the fight to improve the working conditions of female players, who in her opinion have low salaries, need visibility from the media and investment of private initiative with sponsorships.
“I come with that role, I hope more and more colleagues join the activism, that they see that there are different ways of doing things. One of my goals will be to remove their fear of speaking,” he said.
The native of Valle del Cauca regretted that Colombian soccer players do not use their popularity to make visible and support gender equality in soccer.
“Imagine if they were aware of the power they have, of the change they could generate, it would be wonderful. Men also need empowerment to believe that they are more than what they do on the court. David Ospina is much more than just a good goalkeeper, James is better than the 10 that it is, but they don’t see it, “he commented.
Córdoba hopes that her time in the Mexican League will not only serve her to give her message, but will also help her return to the Colombian national team or sign for a US League team.
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