In a week that Club America host Champions League winners FC Barcelona and their bitter rivals Real Madrid at the iconic Azteca stadium, Mexican international and mainstay of the Liga MX Femenil champions’ defence, Monica Rodriguez is officially announced as Girls United’s latest Global Ambassador.
Rodriguez became aware of Girls United earlier this year as sessions were launched in Mexico City neighborhood Iztapalapa and was immediately eager to support the non-profit. As participation levels in the Mexican capital continue to grow, with already over 50 players, the arrival of Rodriguez as Global Ambassador will help to inspire even more girls and young women to start their footballing journey.
Rodriguez's career began playing with men in Cuautla, Morelos. She played track and field and football at the same time. Despite winning medals at national level in track and field, she decided to take up football. Her last amateur team was Leonas de Morelos.
Growing up without female role models in the world of football only made her rise to success all the more impressive.
Rodriguez’s motivations for linking up with Girls United are a direct result of her own experiences and her willingness to not only be a role model for the next generation of players, but also ensure that there are clear pathways for them to pursue their dreams and ambitions.
Rodriguez has already visited the Girls United session in Iztapalapa and to mark her official onboarding as ambassador, the Club America defender invited over 70 members of the Girls United community to attend the friendly against Barcelona at the Azteca Stadium on Tuesday 29 September. For many this was their first time seeing a professional game live, with two participants even getting the once in a lifetime chance to be mascots and walk out onto the pitch with the teams.
Speaking about the announcement, Rodriguez said: "I am very excited to join Girls United as a Global Ambassador, it is a proud moment and something I have been looking forward to since the moment I first heard about the organisation. Their work and goals are exactly what I want to support, with a real focus on the positive impact that football can have on girls and young women on and off the pitch.
"Growing up I would have loved to have been involved in training specifically for girls, it is so important to me to ensure that there are more opportunities to access football in a fun and safe environment. Girls United does exactly that and I am very excited to see what I can bring to this partnership. The fact that the girls have been coming to our games and visiting the training ground has been very inspiring."
Girls United Founder & CEO, Romina Calatayud, added: “With the professional game in Mexico growing so quickly, it’s vital that the grassroots are part of the conversation and supported in order to ensure the sustainability of the women’s game. Monica has been very vocal about supporting the next generation of players and giving back, so we can’t wait to help her do just that.”
“Monica is exactly what we’re looking for in an ambassador, she is a great role model for our players and has already provided them with some unforgettable moments. From the moment we started discussing the possibility of her joining Girls United we were so pleased with how aligned her goals were with our own and how she was able to draw from her own experiences to interact and inspire our players.”
