Ana María Marković did not ask for that nickname. The Croatian footballer, described by the media and social networks as “the most beautiful in the world”, grew tired of her face overshadowing her work on the pitch.
She said it bluntly: “I want them to talk about my game, not just my face”. A sentence that sums up years of training, matches, and sacrifice reduced to comments about her physique.
Her case is not isolated. Many female footballers face the same trap: the more people talk about their appearance, the less they talk about their goals, assists, and tactical reading of the game.
Ana María decided to put the issue on the table, even if that means making uncomfortable those who prefer to see her from only one angle.
Can beauty and talent coexist without one overshadowing the other? She believes they can, but first she wants people to watch her play.