91Èȱ¬

Janelly Farias always knew she wanted to play football.

And through hard work, determination and sheer grit, she made it happen – becoming an international star for Mexico, and plying her trade domestically for the likes of Houston Dash, LA Galaxy, and her current club of Club América Femenil in Mexico City.

She’s also a TV analyst who worked as a commentator and pundit for the Women’s World Cup in 2019 – basically, she’s succeeded in making football her life.

But getting to that stage was a long, hard slog – with financial and cultural obstacles that Janelly had to overcome.

She also faced a battle in her personal life, when it came to getting the people she loved most to accept the fact she’s gay.

At times, that part of Janelly’s story got pretty dark – but she came out the other side of it, and she’s now committed to using her platform to help others.

And this conversation is part of that – as we chat with Janelly about her love of football; the inequality between the men and women’s game; how football can help to mould and change social attitudes for the better; playing in a pandemic; life after retirement; and so much more.

WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST?
@janellyfarias
janellyfarias.com

WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PODCAST?
@jack_murley
jack.murley@bbc.co.uk

PHOTO CREDIT: Janelly Farias

Show less