La Plata (Argentina) (AFP)

It is on a football field that they feel the best: Mara and Marcos enjoy not only the pleasure that gives them the practice of their favorite sport, but also the satisfaction of being pioneers of the integration of transsexual players in Argentine teams.

Tall, slim, her long hair tied in a ponytail, Mara Gomez plays for the team of Villa San Carlos de La Plata, about fifty km from Buenos Aires. At 23, she aspires to become the first transgender player to register in the very young professional women's football league in Argentina.

"I suffered a lot because of discrimination, exclusion, insults on the street and at school. I got hooked on football, it was like therapy," Mara told AFP.

The young woman, born boy, started playing football at the age of 15. She stood out as the top scorer in the last two seasons in the La Plata women's league. This is how Villa San Carlos, the professional women's soccer team, spotted her.

"She is fast and has a very good shot. Contrary to what most people think, she is not that strong. I have several daughters who are stronger and although she is fast, I have faster daughters. She's smart, she learns quickly. And she has a goal, that's what we lack, "says her trainer Juan Cruz Vitale.

The club awaits a transfer request from the Argentine football federation as soon as the activities suspended by the new coronavirus resume.

Argentina was a pioneer country in Latin America by adopting a law on gender identity in 2012, which allowed Mara to change the information on her national identity card at the age of 18.

"I’m very happy to know that as a society we do a little more, we open minds," she said, facing the prospect of becoming professional in this country which has many of the best players in the world, from Diego Maradona to Lionel Messi.

- "Someone has to start" -

Marcos Rojo, 20, joined the Union del Suburbio club in Gualeguaychu (northeast) this year as a center forward. It is the first men's team he plays for.

Two years ago, he had his name and gender changed on his identity card, and the team did not hesitate to integrate it.

In the dining room of his house is still hung a photo of his 15th birthday where he appears as a girl. His whole family supported him in the transition.

"I wanted to change my identity because I have always loved playing with men. Since I was little, I felt like I belong to this genre. Football was an important step for me, because it was what I wanted, "said the young man.

"Supporting a team for this kind of change is very important," said Buenos Aires team supporter Boca Juniors.

Marcos attends training and has already played several friendly matches. He is in high school and wants to continue his football career.

Men's football "is much more demanding. The boys all have good kicks. For me, it will be a feat if I ever get to play in the first division," he said.

Sebastian Rajoy, president of the Union del Suburbio, says without hesitation that "everyone has the right to play sports".

"It is the less prestigious clubs that give this opportunity. Someone has to start, in this case, it is us," he said.

Beyond their skills and dedication, in this context of a gradual integration of transsexual athletes, Mara and Marcos are both aware that they could eventually be asked to take a hormonal test in order to be fully integrated into their team.

"The discussion that is taking place is linked to the dilemma between biology and respect for rights," says Ayelen Pujol, specialist in sport and gender issues.

© 2020 AFP