Meet the Colombian keeper who will go to any lengths to achieve her beach soccer dreams.
Natalia Murillo was born in Medellin, Colombia on 9 July 1993. She in the younger sister of two older brothers and, despite the fact that nether of her parents works in the industry, Natalia – more commonly known in the beach soccer world as “Naty” – is crazy about sport.
Her journey into beach soccer started when a colleague from her university invited her to training. “As soon I first touched the sand with my feet, I had a feeling of great energy and emotion.
I wanted to know more and more about this sport and to see how it was played. The fact that I was, and still am, often the only woman training with 20 men does not matter to me. At first it was tough, but nowadays I’m not scared of any shot, no matter how hard it hits me.”
It has been a real rollercoaster for the keeper, who has fought harder than most to make her beach soccer dream come true.
“My city only has two sand pitches. One is private and the other public so the sport is not so popular. My country is not one with many opportunities on a sporting level, so we do whatever it takes to play in events abroad.
In the past we’ve had to sell cakes and sandwiches, and put on events to raise money to go to tournaments in the United States and other places like the Caribbean.”
Amongst numerous successes early on in her career, there is one achievement that Naty is particularly proud of… “My perseverance and extra hard work led me to be the first Colombian to play an official beach soccer competition in Europe.”
She may not have one specific inspiration in the world of sport, but as someone who clearly likes to travel and has bags of ambition to broaden her horizons, “all the players that have come from nearby countries to play abroad have been an inspiration, even club players who have played in leagues such as Switzerland.”
Naty speaks very fondly of the time she has spent across the world with various clubs, but one memory in particular sticks out in her memory…
“I have 15 years of experience in competitive sport but I had never felt a thrill like when I was in the tunnel in my first official match in Europe this year.
This is all thanks to my Beach Soccer Zeeland family and the coaches who gave me the opportunity of coming to Europe for the first time.
I owe it also to my daily training over the last year in Colombia with the Antioquia Beach Soccer Club and Santiago Alzate, with whom we won an international tournament in Trinidad and Tobago, where I was named the Best Goalkeeper and chosen as MVP.
Also, to Shoreline, my club in the United States with Felipe the coach where we were also champions and I was also the best goalkeeper. I have played other tournaments like in Virginia and Trinidad and Tobago again where we didn’t win but we always have fun.”
Aside from her on-pitch endeavours, Natalia has many things going on in her life, including studying Sports Training at the University of Antioquia in her final year.
“I also have my own clothes brand that I produce, and on top of that I have worked as a model for other brands. But I want to be taken seriously for my sport, not just known for being in photos.”
Obligingly going back to her sport, looking forward how does the Colombian shot-stopper see her future in beach soccer?
“My next goals are to play in different countries, different leagues and year after year play at the Euro Winners Cup until my time comes to win it.”
Having clear ambitions as well as talent is a winning formula, and Naty is clearly bursting with both. We can’t wait to see how far this amazing player will go…
