Six club titles, one mission

Macarena (Maca) Sánchez Jeanney is a six-time champion of the top division of Argentinian football, including five titles with UAI Urquiza and one with San Lorenzo de Almagro. In addition, she participated in four editions of the CONMEBOL Women’s Copa Libertadores (Colombia 2015, Uruguay 2016, Brazil 2018, and Brazil 2021), achieving third place in the 2015 edition. 

While Maca ended her professional career in 2022, she is still an active advocate for the promotion of human rights and gender equality and football as a powerful educational tool for inclusion and social transformation. Previously, she served as the Executive Director of the National Institute of Youth and as Undersecretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Nation, where she promoted public policies with a human rights, equity, and youth inclusion approach.

Bonito: How did you first get involved in football? How old were you when you started playing, and what first drew you to the game? 

Macarena: My first introduction to football came when I was five or six years old. I used to play in a small square just one block from my house, where I met up with friends every afternoon to play. What first drew me to the game was simply how much fun it was. I loved playing football and sharing those moments with my friends. As a child, I loved scoring goals, so I always played as a forward. 

Bonito: You became the first professional female footballer in Argentina at age 27, which was a huge milestone. Looking back, what stands out as the highs and lows of that journey, and what are some of the footballing memories you treasure most? 

Macarena: I have many memories, both joyful and difficult. Being a little girl who wanted to play football was not easy. I experienced a great deal of discrimination as a child, and it affected me deeply at that stage of my life. As I grew older, I had to face sexism, inequality, and the mistreatment of women footballers. It is the same reality that all of us have had to deal with; unfortunately, it is nothing new for women in the game. When the campaign for the professionalization of women’s football began, I also received an enormous amount of hate and abuse on social media, which eventually took a toll on my mental health.

Fortunately, the good memories far outweigh the bad ones. Through football I have met incredible people who taught me so much, built lifelong friendships, and lived unforgettable experiences. I have had the opportunity to travel to several countries thanks to football, and I have felt the support and affection of so many people who believe in women’s football and in the fight for its professionalization. 

Without a doubt, one of the greatest moments of my career was signing the first professional contract. The feeling of having fought for so many years and finally achieving my biggest dream was a level of happiness and fulfillment that is very difficult to put into words.

Bonito: In 2019, you sued your former club and the Argentinian Football Federation to demand more equitable treatment for women footballers, becoming the first woman in the country to take this kind of legal action. How did Argentina's feminist movement at the time help raise public support and awareness for your fight? 

Macarena: The feminist movement played a key role in the professionalization of women’s football in Argentina. At that time, the feminist movement was mobilizing people across the country around different causes and demands, and that momentum gave a significant boost to our fight as women footballers. I believe it amplified the visibility of our campaign for professional football, encouraged many more people to join our cause, and made our voices much stronger. 

On a personal level, I feel deeply connected to the feminist movement. I consider myself a feminist, and I have been committed to these causes for as long as I can remember. 

Bonito: How has the women's football landscape in Argentina changed over the past decade, particularly since you and other players received the first professional contracts? And looking ahead, what further changes do you think are needed to improve access and conditions for players at both the club and national team levels? 

Macarena: I believe women’s football has made significant progress over the past few years in many different ways. In Argentina, the league has gradually expanded, with more teams competing, and it has become more federal. Although there is still a long way to go, clubs from outside Buenos Aires are now participating in the competition. 

There are also more clubs offering football programs for girls and young women, allowing the sport to be developed from an early age. If we want to reach a higher level of competition, that is a fundamental step. In addition, some clubs have started to take women’s football seriously, investing in long-term, sustainable projects. 

Another important step forward is that first-division matches are increasingly being played in the clubs’ main stadiums. Broadcasting matches has also helped give women’s football greater visibility. 

That said, there are still many shortcomings. Players’ salaries remain considerably low, forcing many women footballers to have additional jobs to support themselves. In many clubs, basic conditions such as training equipment, pitches, kits, changing rooms, and properly structured coaching staffs are still far below the standard needed for the level of development we aspire to achieve.

Bonito: Your 2020 book, Football Is My Rebellion, recounts your personal story from childhood through your fight to transform football from a feminist and human rights perspective. What were some of the most difficult moments along that journey, and, on the flip side, when did you feel most vindicated in your fight for greater equity in the sport

Macarena: I believe one of the most difficult moments was when I was released by my club and had to make the decision to take legal action to defend my rights. At that time, I was afraid that I might never be able to play football again, and facing that uncertainty was incredibly difficult. 

I truly felt that our fight had been validated when women’s football became professional in Argentina. That was the moment I realized that everything I had gone through had been worth it. 

Bonito: You recently became an ambassador for love.fútbol, an organization that helps communities develop inclusive sports spaces, and you also represent Argentina at the International Youth Council, a global body engaging young people within the UN Sustainable Development Goals framework. How important are these roles to your ongoing advocacy work, and what causes are closest to your heart right now? 

Macarena: I have always promoted football as a powerful tool for social transformation because I truly believe in its potential. I believe football is a sport that brings people together, embraces them, and creates a sense of belonging. 

I like to think that, through my platform and my voice, I can help children and young people who are facing difficult or vulnerable situations. Seeing inequality and knowing that football can be part of the solution is something that deeply motivates me. I cannot remain indifferent when I know I have many privileges that can be used to improve someone else’s life. 

Bonito: Argentina has qualified for the FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027™. What opportunities do you see for the continued global growth of the women's game, where do gaps in equity still remain, and how do major tournaments like this help push things forward – both on and off the pitch? 

Macarena: The women’s football is growing exponentially in many countries, although there are still others where the game continues to face setbacks. Even so, the global growth of women’s football is undeniable, with more people, institutions, and supporters becoming involved every year. 

I think it is incredibly positive for South America that the FIFA Women’s World Cup will be held in Brazil. It will be a fantastic opportunity to showcase the talent and potential that exist across our region, as well as our ability to organize an event of that magnitude. 

Of course, I will be supporting Argentina. I have great confidence in our national team because they have shown outstanding quality and have been playing excellent football. I truly hope it will be a memorable World Cup for Argentina. 

The equity gaps in football still exist in every country. In some places they are more pronounced than in others, but inequality remains everywhere, both economically and culturally. 

Bonito: What advice would you give to young women who want to play football or who want to pursue a career in the industry? 

Macarena: To every girl or woman who dreams of becoming a footballer, I would say that it will probably be a difficult journey, filled with major obstacles and many injustices. There will be moments when you can help change that reality, and others when you cannot. 

My advice is to never stop enjoying the game. Even in moments of disappointment, remember that football can still be a source of joy and can take you to incredible places. We will most likely continue to face significant inequalities, but no one should ever take away our love for football or the happiness that this sport is capable of giving us. 

Bonito: Anything else you’d like to add? 

Macarena: Viva el fútbol femenino :)