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At just 25 years old, Deyna Castellanos has cemented her status as the “queen” of soccer in Venezuela, blazing a trail for her country and women in sports worldwide. Earlier this year, Castellanos made headlines when she signed a four-year, $1.8 million contract with Bay FC, a San Francisco-based women’s professional soccer team, as informed by NBC.
The deal made her the highest-paid foreign player in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), a historic moment for the Venezuelan star.
A Record-Breaking Career
Before her groundbreaking signing with Bay FC, Castellanos had already built an impressive resume. She played for Atlético de Madrid, Manchester City, and the Venezuelan national team, where she holds numerous records. She remains the top scorer in South America’s under-17 championships and the U-17 Women’s World Cup, where her performance first put her on the global map.
Castellanos’ ultimate dream remains tied to her national team despite her individual success. “My biggest dream is to qualify with the Venezuelan women’s team for the World Cup,” she said in an interview with Noticias Telemundo. “We are growing, we are maturing, and we are evolving in many ways. The goals may change, but the dreams remain the same.”
From Venezuela to the World
Castellanos credits a pivotal moment in her life for propelling her career to new heights. At the age of 16, she earned a scholarship to Florida State University, where she scored 47 goals in 77 games, breaking collegiate records. “Being a student-athlete in the United States changed my life,” she reflected, emphasizing the discipline and principles she gained while balancing her academic and athletic commitments.
Coming from Venezuela, however, her path was far from typical. “When I was little, they didn’t help you apply for an academic and sports scholarship in the United States,” she said, adding that opportunities for female soccer players in her country were practically nonexistent.
Giving Back Through Her Foundation
Castellanos is working to change that reality for the next generation of athletes. She helps young soccer players secure scholarships in the United States through her foundation. “We have already sent 50 girls to the United States,” she said, emphasizing that the initiative isn’t limited to Venezuelans. “Not just from Venezuela, but from all over the world, which is crazy.”
Her foundation’s ambitious goals include expanding its reach and increasing the number of players it helps each year. “We have to keep looking for funds that can change our goal of sending 15 to 20 players to the United States each year, and maybe even 20 to 40,” she said. “We want to change things.”
Advocating for Equality in Soccer
While Castellanos’ achievements and salary are groundbreaking, they also highlight the gender pay gap in soccer. “I don’t know if we will ever see equality in salaries. Let’s hope so,” she said, acknowledging the disparity between men’s and women’s soccer. Still, she remains optimistic about the future. “Women’s soccer has evolved a lot and will continue to grow, and salaries will be better every year.”
A Safe Space in Women’s Soccer
As a member of the LGBTQ community, Castellanos also champions inclusivity in women’s soccer. She described the sport as a welcoming space for everyone. “We have always felt at home, we have not felt judged, whether you are heterosexual, bisexual, gay — I think women’s football does that very well.”