A Estefanía Banini does not like to be called “La Messi”. The player of the Argentina women’s soccer team that wore number 10 in the last World Cup and now wears number 22 He shows talent in every game and is key in every victory for the Argentine team. This Tuesday, he was the undisputed figure in the win against Peru by 4 to 0 in the women’s Copa América that takes place in Colombia.
Banini was a starter in this Tuesday’s game and without a doubt their participation was essential for the Argentine victory. To his usual clarity and precision, in the win against Peru he added dribbles and two essential assists for the goals converted by the albiceleste team, which this Friday will face Uruguay.
The Argentina’s victory in the Copa America was key, since the team of It came from falling to Brazil days ago, and not in vain Banini was from the beginning after being a substitute in the debut. This was the first match as a starter for Mendoza since he returned to the team after several years of absence -incomprehensible- to not be called by former DT Carlos Borrello.
Banini, the undisputed figure
In the match against Peru, Banini was the key for two of the goals and he participated in three of the four, through crosses and connections, but also dribbles and touches. At 17 minutes into the first half, he overcame the entire Peruvian defense and gave a perfect assist to the forward Yamila Rodriguezwhich marked the advantage for Argentina.
Estefanía Banini is 32 years old and, until this Copa América, she always wore number 10 on her shirt. A few years ago, she told in an interview that the nickname “La Messi” of women’s football arose because she wore the same number as the star on the Argentine shirt. In the Copa América that was played in Chile four years ago, they began to tell him that his game was similar to that of the PSG figure.
Nevertheless, Banini doesn’t like to compare himself to Messi, although he observes some similarities: “We both come from the interior and it cost us a lot at the beginning, because we had a problem to face: him, the disease; and I, discrimination”recounted years ago.
For being a soccer player, Banini had to face several episodes of discrimination when she was the only player on a team where the rest were all men. “I had to show that I could, because I was the only woman, they left me out of tournaments for the simple fact of being a woman, I couldn’t play,” she said in an interview.
Years ago, she even said that her parents had to sign a note before a notary public in which they indicated that they would take care of it if their daughter was injured playing soccer. “Me I just wanted to play, was not too aware of the discrimination he suffered. “Before the games she used to hear ‘let her play, she’s going to be one player less’. Then they asked ‘he better play for us’”.
Estefania Banini’s career
In 2010 was a figure in the Women’s Copa América, although he had no team in Argentina. Colo-Colo was his first team, where he was also a figure in several key matches. His team was also champion in the Apertura and Clausura. In 2012 she was champion of the Copa Libertadores for the first time.
In 2013, Banini had a record 37 goals in 18 games in the Torneo Apertura, which Colo-Colo won.
In 2015 she went to play for the Washington Spirit club in the United States, although an injury left her out of the court for several months. Later, she would return to Colo-Colo, although in 2016 she returned to the United States.
Already 25 years old, he arrived at Valencia, from Spain: there he played 21 games and scored four goals. Despite his good performance, the team was not enough to reach the final of the Copa de la Reina, after falling in the semifinal against Barcelona. In 2018 and 2019 he played on loan for Levante, but in 2020 the league was suspended due to the Covid pandemic.
In 2020 and 2021 she was team captain and played 27 of the 34 league games. Her team finished third, which gave her the key to play in the Champions League. Since 2021, Banini has been playing for Atlético de Madrid, where she has a contract until 2023.
