Estefanía Banini

Club career

Colo-Colo Banini played for Colo-Colo in Chile from 2011 to 2014. In December 2014, she captained the team to win its ninth consecutive national title after scoring twice and defeating Santiago Morning 3–1.

Washington Spirit (2015–2016) In January 2015, it was announced that Banini had signed with the Washington Spirit for the third season of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). Of her signing, Spirit head coach Mark Parsons said, "Estefania is an exceptional talent and I do not think there is a player like her in the league. She is going to give the team a very different dynamic and provide us with real quality in the final third." She played and started in the first four games of the 2015 season before sustaining an injury which sidelined her for the rest of the year. Banini came back strong midway through the 2016 season, scoring five goals in a seven-game period before sustaining another injury. The Argentine was awarded the Spirit 2016 Golden Boot award, NWSL Goal of the Week for Week 13, NWSL Player of the Week for Week 13, and NWSL Player of the Month for July.

Valencia (2016–2017) In October 2016 Banini transferred to Spain's Primera División club Valencia CF Femenino.

Washington Spirit (2017–2019) Banini re-signed with the Washington Spirit on 19 June 2017.

On 4 December 2018 Banini re-signed with the Spirit for the 2019 NWSL season.

Loan to Levante On 17 October 2018 Banini joined Levante in the Spanish Primera División.

Levante (2019–2021) Although intended to play through the 2019 NWSL season, Banini signed a full contract with Levante in June 2019 that would last for two years. In her time at the club, she helped the team qualify for their first ever UEFA Women's Champions League tournament. In the 2021 Copa de la Reina final, she scored Levante's second goal against FC Barcelona Femení, but the match ended 4–2 in favor of Barcelona.

Atlético Madrid (2021–2024) On 3 July 2021, Banini's transfer from Levante to Atlético Madrid was made official.

Colo-Colo On 15 July 2026, Banini's return to Colo-Colo was made official.

International career Banini has played for the Argentina women's national football team since 2010. In September 2014, she scored a penalty kick in a match against Brazil helping Argentina win 2–0 during the Copa América Femenina tournament. Banini scored three goals at the 2018 Copa América Femenina.

Banini was called up to participate in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup with Argentina. In the tournament, she helped Argentina win their first ever World Cup point, earning a 0–0 draw against Japan. Following Argentina's exit in the group stage, Banini spoke out against national team coach Carlos Borrello for his outdated coaching methods and the Argentine Football Association (AFA) for poor working conditions. Banini was not called up to the national team for nearly three years following her statements.

At the end of 2020, Banini was named to the IFFHS' CONMEBOL Women's Team of the 2011-2020 Decade, the only Argentine on the list.

Banini made her international return for Argentina on 8 April 2022, starting in a 0–1 friendly home loss to Chile and played the entire match. At the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, Banini played her last international match, a 0–2 loss to Sweden.

International goals Scores and results list Argentina's goal tally first No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 4 November 2010 Estadio La Cocha, Latacunga, Ecuador 3–0 2010 South American Women's Football Championship 10 March 2014 Estadio Bicentenario de La Florida, Santiago, Chile 2014 South American Games 16 March 2014 20 September 2014 Estadio Jorge Andrade, Azogues, Ecuador 2014 Copa América Femenina 28 September 2014 Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa, Quito, Ecuador 5 April 2018 Estadio Municipal Francisco Sánchez Rumoroso, Coquimbo, Chile 2018 Copa América Femenina 9 April 2018 13 April 2018 15 July 2022 Estadio Centenario, Armenia, Colombia 2022 Copa América Femenina 9 October 2022 Estadio Municipal de Chapín, Jerez, Spain Friendly 9 April 2023 Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Córdoba, Argentina 14 July 2023 Estadio Único de San Nicolás, San Nicolás de los Arroyos, Argentina

Honours Colo-Colo Primera División: 2011 Apertura, 2011 Clausura, 2012 Apertura, 2012 Clausura, 2013 Apertura, 2013 Clausura, 2014 Apertura, 2014 Clausura Copa de Campeonas: 2015 Copa Libertadores Femenina: 2012

Atlético Madrid

Copa de la Reina: 2022–23

Argentina South American Games: 2014

Individual Player of the Year in Chile: 2013 IFFHS CONMEBOL Woman Team of the Decade 2011–2020 FIFA FIFPro Women's World11: 2021