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From Fleeing Abuse to Ballon d’Or History: How Scarlett Camberos Changed Player Safety
The latest Ballon d'Or nominations brought a historic wave of firsts for Mexican football. After surviving terrifying online abuse that forced her to temporarily flee the country, Scarlett Camberos returned to become the first Mexican woman ever nominated.
At just 25 years old, the Club América captain proved to be the ultimate game-changer this season. Her exceptional play on the pitch propelled the team forward, as she racked up an incredible 24 goals and 14 assists to cement her status as one of the most dominant midfielders in the game.
But Camberos's impact extends far beyond the pitch, she has also become a central figure in the fight for the protection of female athletes. In March 2023, during her first stint with Club América, she became the victim of months of stalking, online harassment and identity theft. Because of weak legal frameworks surrounding digital abuse in Mexico at the time, the perpetrator, Jose Andres N, was given a sentence of just 36 hours of house arrest, the maximum penalty permitted by law. The club claimed that they took "all the legal action within its reach," and urged Mexican authorities to enact more severe laws to protect women from sexual violence and harassment as well as legislation to protect them against online harassment.
Faced with serious safety concerns, Camberos was forced to leave Mexico and terminate her contract with Club América, seeking refuge with her family in the United States and signing with Angel City FC in Los Angeles. Reflecting on the abrupt exit, Camberos explained, “It was a very difficult decision to leave Mexico and América, which is the team I love, but my safety and my peace of mind had to be the priority.”
At the time, Club América issued a statement explaining: “In support of our player Scarlett Camberos, and to aid her psychological and emotional recovery, Club América and Angel City FC are working to finalise her transfer.”
Relocating to the US provided Camberos with safety, but the fallout from her case, alongside the prosecution of Jose Andres N, drove major changes back in Mexico. In response, Club América implemented dedicated legal backing for its players and the Mexican Chamber of Deputies pushed for stricter laws. These proposed measures intend to heavily penalise cyberbullying, harassment, stalking and ensure that female athletes nationwide are properly safeguarded.
Camberos was not the only player targeted, former teammates Jana Gutiérrez and Selene Valera had previously filed complaints regarding online abuse and player safety after experiencing harassment and death threats from the same perpetrator in January 2021. Highlighting the institutional failures at the time, Valera posted on social media, "It's the same one who bothered Jana and me a while ago. I filed a lawsuit against him, but it wasn't much help."
Following the fallout of Camberos’s case and the implementation of new protective protocols, Club América guaranteed rigorous safety measures and structural support systems, paving the way for her long-awaited return in July 2024. From fleeing for her safety to making a triumphant return to Mexico City, stepping right back into her role as team captain and ultimately earning a Ballon d’Or nomination in 2026, Camberos was finally able to “enjoy football in [her] country once again,” especially at “the club [she had] always supported.”
Reflecting on the milestone, she told El Universal, “I feel like it was an ‘everything was worth it’ moment.” Having reclaimed her career and helped force structural change across Mexican sports, her journey stands as a powerful inspiration to women everywhere.
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