Brooklyn FC have kicked off their USL Super League season with a bang, announcing the signing of Croatian international Ana Maria Markovic.
The 25-year-old forward, often praised by fans and media as one of the most beautiful footballers in the world, joins the club alongside her sister Kiki.
Excited to Join the Team
“Signing with Brooklyn FC is an exciting step for me,” Markovic said.
“I’ve played in incredible places, but I can already feel the energy around this club and city.
Sharing this experience with my sister makes it even more special, and we’re both here to make an impact on the field.”
A Journey Through Europe
Born in Split, Croatia, but raised in Switzerland, Markovic began her career with Swiss sides FC Zürich and Grasshoppers before moving to Portuguese club SC Braga in August 2024.
However, her time in Portugal was short-lived, ending in February 2025 after only four appearances.
Her move to Braga was initially motivated by being closer to her partner, Portuguese footballer Tomas Ribeiro.
But after his transfer from Vitória Guimarães in northern Portugal to Farense in the south, Markovic hinted at her frustrations in a TikTok video, captioned “Sometimes I just hate football.”
The following week, she and Braga mutually agreed to terminate her contract.
SC Braga issued a statement thanking her for her professionalism: “The Croatian international played four games for the Gverreiras do Minho in her debut season in Portuguese football.
SC Braga thanks you for all the dedication, commitment and professionalism with which you have always represented the Club and wishes you all the best in your professional and personal future.”
Moving Forward
After leaving Braga, Markovic briefly joined SF Damaiense near Lisbon, though it’s unclear if she played any matches for the club.
She has since landed in the US, making her Brooklyn FC debut as a substitute for Catherine Zimmerman in a 2-1 victory over Tampa Bay Sun FC.
International Experience
Markovic has earned 25 caps for the Croatian national team, scoring two international goals, the most recent against Kosovo in June 2024.
She also appeared in Croatia’s 2-1 loss to Albania in the 2025 UEFA Women’s Nations League.
Speaking Out Against Discrimination
Off the pitch, Markovic has been vocal about gender inequality in football.
In a 2022 interview with Swiss newspaper 20 Minuten, she highlighted the sexism female players face on social media compared to their male counterparts.
“What makes the difference between men and women is, for example, when I show myself in a bikini on social media or when Erling Haaland [shows himself] in his swimming trunks,” she said.
“Erling almost certainly doesn’t get the same sexist comments.
We women are good at standing up for each other, but what I wish for is that men start standing up for us too.”
Markovic has made it clear that she wants to be a role model for young footballers and advocate for equality in the sport, speaking out against sexist labeling and inappropriate comments aimed at female athletes.
