La Abuelita Voladora-The Guatemalan Goalkeeper Who Plays for Life and to Forget
“For me, sport is my life. In the soccer field, I leave my sadness, my sorrows behind,” reflects Guatemalan goalkeeper, Alma Salazar.
At 57 years old, the “abuelita voladora,” has built an impressive soccer career. She is a professional goalkeeper who has been playing the game for over 25 years.
The “flying granny” trains every day and plays, on average, 4 games on the weekend. The goalkeeper has played in several clubs and participated in Major Soccer Leagues.
Alma Salazar says that age is no impediment to defending the goal. Over the years, she has mastered the falls, the stretches, the reaches that are part of the goalkeeper’s job: “It would be difficult for me to get hurt during a soccer game,” she explains.
She competes in the National Women’s Soccer league and plays for various others. One of them is the K’rioK, a futsal league in her local municipality of El Tejar, in western Guatemala.
“When I look at my trophies, I feel satisfied, because I have not been working in vain. When I die, I hope that they will be placed with me in my pantheon,” says the abuelita voladora.
Sofia Recinos, a teammate says, “she flies, she runs, she delivers it all in the goal.”
“I look at her, and she doesn’t let the ball through. She is an example to us, that’s why at home we call her our abuelita voladora,” shares Darin Lopez, a fellow professional goalkeeper.
Her teammates are at least 25 years younger than Alma, and that is her strength. She has become the engine of the team.
“I tell them, come on girls, you are younger than me. Use your dreams to charge forward. You are on your way up. I’m on my way down, but I won’t let myself fall,” says Alma about the encouragement she shares with her teammates.
Behind her triumphs there is also pain. Alma reflects on the healing she has achieved through the game:
“Football has been a great help to me. The death of two babies and the death of my mother, have been difficult. After the death of my 13 year old son, I returned to the game. Soccer has helped me to get back up.”
Alma, is an admirer of the Spanish, Iker Casillas and the Italian Gianluigi Buffon. Her passion for her sport was born when she was 19 years old. She started training with a men’s team where she found her calling as a goalkeeper. Since then, she has played for various professional and amateur competition clubs.
When she is not playing soccer, Alma sells toys at a local market.
Soledad Quartucci | Latina Republic
Dr. Soledad Quartucci is the founder and CEO of Latina Republic, a 501(C)3 California-based nonprofit organization. Latina Republic is a reporting, research, advocacy and charitable organization advancing human rights in the Americas. We fill the void in coverage of urgent social, political, human rights, economic and gender inequalities affecting the Americas. Through our allies in Latin America, we highlight contributions, heritage, history, leadership and innovation. Latina Republic reports on stories that integrate local strategies to the betterment of the region. We make space for and empower unheard voices and celebrate the rich histories of Latin America.
