For more than a century, Latin America has produced some of the most prominent and coveted soccer players in the world. Alongside this, history has been made in many different ways. From the Uruguayan men’s national team winning the first ever FIFA World Cup in 1930 to the Panamanian women’s team qualifying to its first ever World Cup in 2023, representation has continued to expand across generations.

Now more than ever, Hispanic and Latino players have gone beyond representing their nations in international competitions. The continuous growth of women and men playing in some of the top clubs in the world — including those in Europe’s “Top 5” leagues — has allowed them to bring joy to a region that lives and breathes for fútbol (this is not an exaggeration, I promise.)

As another Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month comes to an end, here are a few Latin American soccer players who, with their high performance and successful profiles, have been able to contribute to Latin American representation at home and abroad.

1. Marta Vieira da Silva (Brazil)

There is no better example in women’s soccer than the Brazilian forward. At a young age, her love for soccer became an escape from reality, and it was only a matter of time before she continued to develop her skill set. During Marta’s childhood years, it was a taboo to see women playing soccer in Brazil, but that never stopped her. She has gone on to play in five FIFA Women’s World Cups, being the only player to score in five editions of the competition. She has even taken home three Olympic silver medals in Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and Paris 2024.

Marta has paved the way for girls in Brazil and around the world to chase their dreams in the world of soccer, especially inspiring the next generation.

“There’s not going to be a Marta forever,” she said, speaking to the girls watching at home after Brazil was knocked out of the 2019 World Cup. “The women’s game depends on you to survive. So think about that. Value it more. Cry in the beginning so you can smile in the end.”

Although she has officially retired from the national team, Marta continues to play in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), defending the colors of the Orlando Pride since 2017. Just a few days ago, she won her first NWSL Shield with the team.

2. Diego Maradona (Argentina)

One of Argentina’s most legendary players, Maradona has been one of the greatest influences in Argentine soccer history. The midfielder played in some of the most prestigious European teams during the 1980s and '90s, from FC Barcelona in Spain to SSC Napoli in Italy. However, the peak of his career was characterized by Argentina’s iconic World Cup win in Mexico in 1986. Maradona will always be known for his “Hand of God” goal during the quarterfinals against England, where he scored a goal with his hand — the referee mistakenly believed he had scored it with his head. Whether this goal should have been allowed or not will continue to be a debate among soccer experts, but it was his leadership that led the team to the final.

Maradona died at the age of 60 in November 2020, but before passing, he granted a final interview to Argentine newspaper Clarín. When asked about what it means for an Argentinian player to defend the Argentine flag, he emphasized the uniqueness of the experience, something he has highlighted on many occasions.

“We Argentinian athletes leave our country very early; we live abroad for a long time and we miss Argentina a lot,” Maradona said. “Because of this, when the national team calls you, you come even if you have to do so swimming. Because it makes you feel, once more, that you are home, defending the flag, and this is what makes us distinct.”

3. Christiane Endler (Chile)

Let’s be real: When talking about the best goalkeepers in women’s soccer, little used to be said about Latin American goalkeepers. That is, until Christiane Endler came into the picture. The Chilean goalkeeper has received global recognition, considered one of the best soccer players Chile has produced. Club wise, she has stood out as French side Lyon’s goalkeeper in the French Première Ligue, currently in her fourth season with the team. Nationally, she led Chile to its first World Cup in 2019 and was Chile’s primary goalkeeper until 2023, becoming the team’s first player to reach 100 appearances.

During her time representing ‘La Roja,’ she always hoped that her experience playing European soccer would help pave the way for the expansion of professional soccer in Chile.

“I think I’ve tried to bring to our football the professional approach I take here and everywhere I go,” Endler said in an interview with FIFA in 2023. “That’s what I’m trying to do: to show the way and open the door for other Chilean players to come to Europe.”

Endler has had her own fair share of silverware as well, winning The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper award in 2021 and the UEFA Women’s Champions League title with Lyon in 2022, stunning the reigning champion FC Barcelona. As her cleats are not completely hung up, Endler is an example of experience and achievement.

4. Keylor Navas (Costa Rica)

Considered one of Central America’s best goalkeepers in history, Keylor Navas proved to the world that it wasn’t about where you came from, but what you could do.

Making his professional debut with Costa Rican side Deportivo Saprissa, Navas mastered his ability to control possession and stop dangerous shots. After a few years playing in Costa Rica, he moved to the other side of the world, playing for a few second division teams in Spain. The peak of his career came when he transferred to FC Real Madrid in 2014, where he went on to play a fundamental role in the team’s journey to three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

As Costa Rica’s goalkeeper, Navas put the Central American nation on the map with the team’s historical qualification to the quarterfinals of the 2014 World Cup, after an incredible penalty shootout against Greece. A country with a population of only 5 million people, it would be the first Central American country to go that far.

For Navas, this will always be important in his soccer career, even after having announced his retirement from the national team in May.

“I leave with my heart full of gratitude and my eyes looking forward, always carrying the name of our beloved Costa Rica,” Navas said in an Instagram post. “A small country in territory but big in heart.”

5. Linda Caicedo (Colombia)

She is only 19 years old, but most of the world already knows her name. The Colombian forward has surpassed challenges and adversities in her life after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the young age of 15. Still, with time and recovery, she was able to get back in shape and eventually blow the world away with what she could do on the field.

In 2022, at the age of 17, she led Colombia’s senior national team to the final of the Copa América Femenina, finishing second place. A year later, she competed in the Women’s World Cup, known for scoring one of the most thrilling goals of the tournament in a historical group stage victory against Germany. Her goal went on to win Hyundai Goal of the Tournament in a fan-voted poll made by FIFA.

Her performance would catch the eye of Real Madrid Femenino, where she has now been playing for over a year. She even finished 9th in the 2023 Women’s Ballon d’Or official rankings.

Participating in this year’s U-20 Women’s World Cup on Colombian soil was double the emotion for Caicedo. In an interview with FIFA, she highlighted how being a role model in Colombia at her young age only encouraged her to go even further.

“If I can inspire people, whether that is children or adults, I will continue to do so with love and passion because that is what I enjoy the most, and I look to get better every day.”