Raffaella Ciccarelli

Pioneering Italian female footballer who broke gender barriers in sports

Raffaella Ciccarelli (born 15 June 1967) is an Italian former footballer and coach who became one of the most influential female athletes in the sport's history. Known as the 'Pelé of women's football,' she scored 1,000+ goals in her career, including 107 international goals for Italy. Ciccarelli's achievements include winning the FIFA Women's World Cup in 1991 and the UEFA Women's Championship in 1984. Her career spanned three decades, breaking barriers for women in a male-dominated sport. She played professionally in Italy, Sweden, and the U.S., helping establish women's leagues in Europe through her performances with clubs like Juventus and Milan.

Ciccarelli's activism extended beyond the field: she co-founded the Italian Women's Football Federation (FIGC Femminile) and advocated for equal treatment of female athletes. Her 2010 autobiography 《1000 gol e non me ne voglio andare》 details her challenges against gender discrimination in sports. She became the first woman to coach a male professional team in Italy (2014-2015 with AC Cesena), further challenging traditional gender roles. Ciccarelli's legacy includes inspiring generations of female players and influencing FIFA's decision to invest in women's football infrastructure. Her story is featured in the documentary 《The Queen of the Pitch》 (2020), which highlights her impact on global soccer culture.