When Italian footballer Alia Guagni printed her CV directly onto her match jersey for her final game, she did more than bid farewell to the pitch. She sparked a global conversation. Her message was clear and urgent: even elite athletes struggle with life after sports, and women in particular face unique challenges. Guagni’s bold gesture wasn’t just a personal statement; it was a rallying cry for visibility, support, and systemic change.
This article explores the realities female athletes face post-retirement, the barriers to their professional reinvention, and the innovative ways individuals and organizations like FC Como Women are tackling this under-discussed issue.
The Silent Struggle of Athletic Retirement
A Career with an Expiry Date
Unlike most professions, athletic careers have a very short shelf life. By the time athletes reach their late 20s or early 30s, many are contemplating retirement. For women, this timeline can be even shorter due to disparities in funding, support, and opportunities in female sports.
Alia Guagni, who retired at age 37, revealed that her decision wasn’t just about age but about embracing life beyond football, including her long-held dream of becoming a mother. Her reflections, shared in an interview with The Athletic, show how deeply personal and complex these decisions can be.
Women Face Additional Challenges
While all athletes face challenges post-retirement, female athletes often encounter additional obstacles:
- Lower Pay: Women in sports typically earn significantly less than their male counterparts, making it harder to build financial security.
- Limited Sponsorships: Fewer brand deals and endorsements reduce visibility and income.
- Less Institutional Support: Post-career programs are often designed with male athletes in mind, lacking consideration for gender-specific needs.
- Social Expectations: Cultural narratives around women and career priorities, including family planning, further complicate post-sports transitions.
Alia Guagni: A Symbol of Reinvention
From Football to the Workforce
Guagni’s act of wearing her resume symbolized not only her readiness to move on, but also the broader lack of visibility into the realities of retired female athletes. According to The Athletic, she used the moment to highlight the “void” that many women face after their sports careers end. She acknowledged that while she hopes to stay in football, her future remains uncertain.
Unlike many male Serie A players who retire with financial security and endless opportunities, Guagni emphasized that female players “have to fight for everything.” Her message, printed across her jersey, was loud and clear: female athletes need more support after the final whistle blows.
The Power of the Beyond Program
To help others navigate this difficult transition, Guagni collaborated with FC Como Women and the creative agency LePub to launch the “Beyond” program. Initiated during the 2024/25 season, this project provides mentorship, career planning, and long-term tools to support players post-retirement.
What sets Beyond apart is its long-term vision. Starting next season, FC Como Women will only accept sponsors who commit to hiring its players after their careers end. This ensures that support doesn’t stop when the cleats are hung up but extends into the next chapter of athletes’ lives.
Bridging the Gap: Solutions and Strategies
Career Programs Tailored to Athletes
Organizations like Sport2Work and initiatives like Beyond address the gap by offering career support to athletes. These include:
- Mentorship programs that pair former athletes with industry professionals.
- Workshops and training on resume building, interview skills, and networking.
- Job-matching platforms that emphasize transferable athletic skills.
- Education programs aligned with sports schedules to encourage dual-career development.
Such platforms empower athletes to reinvent themselves professionally while maintaining the identity and values developed through sport.
The Role of Ownership and Advocacy
Mercury/13, the women’s multi-club network that owns FC Como Women, played a significant role in institutionalizing this support. After acquiring a controlling stake in the club in March 2024, the group introduced initiatives to ensure player well-being both on and off the field. Their board includes high-profile advocates like Lauren Holiday, a two-time USWNT gold medalist and mentor in the Beyond program.
These strategic moves show that meaningful change comes from leadership that prioritizes long-term athlete success, not just match-day performance.
Real Stories, Real Impact
Guagni’s Career and Legacy
Guagni’s story is inspirational on and off the field. She began her career in 2002 with Firenze Calcio Femminile, captained Fiorentina, and later played for Atlético Madrid and AC Milan. Her honors include a Scudetto, two Coppa Italia titles, and a Spanish Super Cup.
Internationally, she earned over 100 caps with the Italian national team and helped Italy reach the quarterfinals of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Twice named Italy’s Player of the Year, she’s celebrated for her pace, leadership, and consistency among Europe’s top defenders.
A New Chapter
While Guagni says she’ll miss “sprinting down the wing and sharing laughs with teammates,” she’s looking forward to her next chapter: motherhood. “Becoming a mother is my priority now,” she told The Athletic, underscoring the dual realities many female athletes face, pursuing personal dreams while navigating professional uncertainty.
Her choice to retire on her terms, while advocating for others, turns her final game into more than a farewell. It becomes a milestone in redefining how we support athletes after sport.
Conclusion
Alia Guagni’s jersey wasn’t just fabric, it was a message stitched in courage and clarity. It spotlighted the career uncertainties faced by female athletes and reminded us that systemic change is long overdue. Through initiatives like Beyond, partnerships with employers, and bold leadership, the sports world can provide meaningful futures for athletes once the final whistle sounds.
With visibility, strong support systems, and forward-thinking programs, athletic retirement doesn’t have to feel like an end. For women like Guagni, it’s the beginning of something just as impactful, and perhaps, even more meaningful.
FAQ
- Why did Alia Guagni print her CV on her jersey?
To raise awareness about the challenges female athletes face after retirement and the lack of clear career pathways. - What is the Beyond program?
A career support initiative by FC Como Women offering mentorship, career planning, and partnerships with employers committed to hiring retiring athletes. - Why is retirement harder for female athletes?
Lower pay, fewer endorsements, and less institutional support make transitioning to post-sports life more difficult for women. - What are Guagni’s plans after retirement?
She hopes to stay involved in football but is also prioritizing her dream of becoming a mother.