Itzel Velasco

Itzel Alejandra Velasco Loza (born 23 September 2004) is a Mexican professional footballer who plays as goalkeeper for Liga MX Femenil side Club América and the Mexico women's national football team.

Club career

Club Atlas (2021–2022) Velasco is a product of Atlas’ youth academy. She was promoted to the first-team as a reserved goalkeeper ahead of the Clasura 2021 tournament. She made her professional debut with Atlas on 29 October 2021, during the Apertura 2021 tournament, in a match against Mazatlán in which she initiated the game.

During the Clausura 2022, Velasco became Atlas starting goalkeeper near the end of the tournament after Atlas captain and first-choice goalkeeper, Ana Gabriela Paz, got injured.

Club América (2022–present) After not renewing her contract with Atlas, Velasco signed with Club América on 26 December 2022. She made her debut with América on 16 January 2023, in a 7–0 victory for América over Puebla.

Although used mostly as a reserved goalkeeper, Velasco became the first-choice goalkeeper for América during the Clausura 2024 tournament, helping her team reached the final of the tournament. On 29 July 2024, Velasco suffered an ACL injury during a league match against Toluca, leaving her out of play for most of the 2024–25 season.

International career Velasco has been part of the Mexico women's national football team youth program since the U-15 level.

Since 2023, she has been part of the Mexico women's national under-20 football team, participating with the team at the 2023 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship. During this competition, Velasco helped Mexico win the tournament and a spot in the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup by starting in 4 out of 5 games, including the final against the U.S., in which she saved a penalty. Due to her performance throughout the tournament, CONCACAF awarded Velasco the best goalkeeper award.

Velasco received her first call-up to the senior Mexico women's national team from manager Pedro López on 28 March 2024, for friendly matches against Colombia and Australia, but she did not played in any of these games. She finally made her senior debut on 26 October 2025, in a friendly match against New Zealand.

Career statistics Club

Honours

Club América Liga MX Femenil: Clausura 2023 , Clausura 2026 CONCACAF W Champions Cup: 2025–26

International Mexico U-20 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship: 2023 Sud Ladies Cup runner-up: 2024

Individual

CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship Best goalkeeper: 2023 CONCACAF W Champions Cup Best goalkeeper: 2025–26 Sud Ladies Cup Best goalkeeper: 2024