Janelly Farías

Janelly Farías Rodríguez is a former professional footballer who last played as centre-back for Liga MX Femenil club Juárez. She participated in Exatlón Estados Unidos season 1 and was a commentator/analyst for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup for Telemundo. She uses her platform to promote inclusivity and advocate for LGBT+ persons. Born in the United States, she represented Mexico at international level.

Club career

After publicly coming out as lesbian while playing college soccer, the rejection she suffered from her family originally led her to quit football. After a few years, however, during which her family gradually reconnected with her and in which she was inspired by the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, she made the decision to return to the sport.
On 28 June 2019, Farías joined Liga MX Femenil side CD Guadalajara.

International career

Farías represented Mexico at the 2006 FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship. She made her senior debut on 1 April 2007. She is currently on the full women’s Mexico national team and looking to participate in the 2020 Olympic qualifying CONCACAF TOURNAMENT.

Personal life

Farias is openly lesbian. She actively advocates for equality and uses her platform to promote visibility and empowerment for the LGBT+ community. In October 2020, she led a talk for Harvard University titled "Navigating the Borders of Gender, Culture, Language, and Sexuality in Sports and Beyond."