From Macará to International Football: Marilyn Silverio's Journey

Marilyn Edith Silverio Gonzaga grew up in Macará, near Ecuador's border with Peru, dreaming of a future in football. She played competitively and was invited to a national team selection process. When opportunities as a player became limited, she found another way to stay on the field: refereeing.

More than a decade later, Silverio has earned her FIFA international referee badge. On November 29, she is scheduled to serve as second assistant referee for a women's international friendly between Peru and the Dominican Republic, alongside fellow Ecuadorian officials María Belén Lupera and Mónica Amboya.

Her refereeing career began with a course in Loja. She progressed through national competitions and, in 2026, officiated at the South American Under-17 Women's Championship in Paraguay. CONMEBOL records confirm her appointment as an assistant referee for the Colombia–Bolivia match in Asunción on April 30.

Alongside her sporting career, Silverio is in her sixth semester studying Physical Activity and Sports Pedagogy at the National University of Loja. She credits her parents and siblings for their support and continues to balance university work, training and weekend matches.

Speaking to Diario Crónica, Silverio described the discipline required to advance in refereeing and encouraged young people in Macará to pursue their goals.

Her next international assignment will take her from the football fields of southern Ecuador to another stage in her growing career.

Sources: Diario Crónica, November 5, 2026 · CONMEBOL referee appointments