When Amalia Valverde was little, she always watched soccer matches with a notebook in hand, taking notes. Her passion for the game led her to become a professional player, competing in the Costa Rican Women's First Division. With her physical training qualifications under her belt, she began a successful career as a coach. Her beginnings weren't easy. "I've had good experiences and bad ones, but I've learned from them all," she acknowledges. "I've experienced all kinds of situations. When I started coaching, I had to help with the administrative side, prepare the players' snacks, clean the uniforms, or go looking for lost balls," she recalls. Her determination led her to persevere and climb the ranks in a very male-dominated world of soccer. One of her latest achievements was managing the Mexican team Monterrey. It was then that the Liga BBVA MX Femenil awarded her the Golden Ball for winning the Clausura Tournament.