Soccer-Rags to riches success a far-off dream for South American female players

Girls celebrate after scoring a goal during a soccer match, as part of a project that trains and seeks new talent for the sport, in Sao Paulo, Brazil July 14, 2023. REUTERS/Carla Carniel

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Camila Lujan Gomez Cabrera, an 18-year-old Paraguayan immigrant from Buenos Aires's Villa 31, boards a public bus every day to the hours-long soccer practice for her team in Argentina's professional league.

As a reserve player she has no salary, so she can't enjoy the luxuries of top male players, who can earn thousands of dollars a month. Instead, Gomez Cabrera has to juggle a part-time nannying job beside strenuous practices.