Leicy María Santos Herrera Bio
Leicy María Santos Herrera (born 16 May 1996) is a Colombian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for National Women’s Soccer League club Washington Spirit and the Colombia national team. Santos was an NJCAA national champion with Iowa Central before joining Santa Fe in the new Colombian Women’s Football League in 2017. In 2019, she signed with Liga F club Atlético Madrid, where she won one Supercopa and one Copa de la Reina in five seasons with the club. Santos made her full international debut for Colombia in 2014.
Early Life and Background
Leicy María Santos Herrera was born on 16 May 1996 in Lorica, Colombia. She was encouraged to play soccer from a young age by her father, Elizaith Santos, who was also a soccer player and previously a member of the Córdoba Under-20 National Team. Santos’s mother initially did not support her playing soccer, insisting that she help with household chores instead. Santos played on boys’ teams as a child and was often the only girl participating in tournaments. A pivotal moment came when César Correa, a friend of her father’s, saw her play and recommended that she try out for Club Besser in Bogotá, which was seeking female players. With the support of her family and friends, she moved to Bogotá to pursue this opportunity. After six months of training with Club Besser, her parents joined her in the city. Despite various challenges, she and coach Pedro Rodríguez established a women’s team at Club Besser, leading to her call-ups for the Bogotá National Team and the Colombia women’s national under-17 football team. She remained at Club Besser until 2016. In 2015, Santos played in the United States for Iowa Central Community College. In her second game, she scored a hat trick, contributing to her team’s success as they finished the season as NJCAA national champions. Santos played a total of 11 games, scoring 7 goals and providing 3 assists.
Path to Soccer
Santos began her professional career in 2016 with Future Soccer, where she played for a brief period before joining Santa Fe in the newly established Colombian Women’s Football League in 2017. The formation of this league marked a significant step for women’s soccer in Colombia. Santos debuted in the league on 19 February 2017, scoring her first goal and hat trick shortly thereafter. Santa Fe went on to win the inaugural women’s professional championship, with Santos emerging as one of the standout players on the team. Her exceptional performances earned her a call-up to the Colombia women’s national team for the 2016 Summer Olympics. Santos’s time at Santa Fe was marked by her contributions to the team’s success, including a strong showing in the Copa Libertadores, where she scored two goals in a group stage match. After a successful stint, she transferred to Atlético Madrid in 2019, where she continued to develop her skills on a larger stage.
Leicy María Santos Herrera Career
Early Career (2016-2019)
Leicy Santos began her professional career in 2016 with Future Soccer, where she played for a short time before moving to Santa Fe. At Santa Fe, she quickly established herself as a key player, contributing significantly to the team’s success in the inaugural Colombian Women’s Football League. Her performances led to her being called up to represent Colombia at the 2016 Summer Olympics. Santos’s transition to Atlético Madrid in 2019 marked a significant step in her career, allowing her to compete at a higher level in European football.
Breakthrough (2019-2024)
Santos’s breakthrough came with her signing to Atlético Madrid in August 2019. She made her debut for the club on 7 September 2019 and scored her first goal on 26 October 2019. Her early performances were impressive, leading to her becoming a regular starter due to injuries to other players. In the 2020-21 season, she was named the Most Valuable Latin American player by EFE and made history by becoming the first Colombian woman to score in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Her contributions helped Atlético Madrid secure a Supercopa title during her tenure. Despite facing challenges such as injuries and inconsistent team performance, Santos remained a vital player for Atlético Madrid, helping the team achieve a third-place finish in the league and qualification for the Champions League in the 2023-24 season.
Notable Works and Milestones
Throughout her career, Leicy Santos has been recognized for her outstanding performances, including her historic goal in the UEFA Women’s Champions League and her contributions to Atlético Madrid’s success in domestic competitions.
Leicy María Santos Herrera Award Nominations
Leicy Santos has been nominated for various awards throughout her career, reflecting her impact on the field and her contributions to women’s soccer in Colombia and beyond.
Leicy María Santos Herrera Awards Won
Santos has achieved significant recognition during her career, including winning the Supercopa and Copa de la Reina with Atlético Madrid.
Leicy María Santos Herrera Family
Leicy Santos is engaged to fellow professional footballer Geral Matallana.
Personal Life
In addition to her soccer career, Santos co-founded Cacahuates, a company that creates and distributes nut creams, with fellow professional footballer Lina Arciniegas. She is also a member of Common Goal, an initiative that encourages athletes to contribute to social causes.
