Pia Alvarez

At just 16, Pía experienced two major career dreams almost back-to-back: she signed her first professional contract with Independiente and roughly one week later was called back into Argentina’s U17 setup.

After waiting more than two years for her second senior goal, Pía came off the bench with Independiente trailing Huracán and helped turn the match around with a goal and the cross that created the winner.

Her first senior goal came at just 15 at Rosario Central’s famous Gigante de Arroyito, where she capitalised on a mistake involving Argentina international goalkeeper Vanina Correa.

Her shirt number 33 has followed her from her teenage breakthrough into the senior team — she was already wearing it in Primera División matches at 15 and retained it after signing professionally.