Welcome to ‘Together We Rise’, a new editorial partnership from VERSUS and Nike exploring the women who are blazing a trail to shape the future of sport and culture. Nike’s Third Kits for the 24/25 season have turned the Swoosh vertical to mark the non-stop rise of women’s football – and this is where we celebrate the players and fans who have made this change possible.

If there’s anyone who can speak to the power of convergence culture it’s María Escarmiento. A musician and songwriter who mixes Latin rhythms with contemporary vibes is known for her powerful storytelling. Her debut album in collaboration with Argentine singer Ms Nina – a pioneer of Neoperreo, a subgenre of reggaeton – made waves for its honesty and fresh sound. Characteristics that shine through when speaking with her about Nike’s 24/25 third kits. María’s transparency and dogged determination to speak her truth is a value, and skill, she’s honed after years of having to navigate the male dominated music landscape. ‘Together We Rise’ champions the women who’ve unashamedly pushed for more, so those who follow in their footsteps don’t have to ask for what they’re entitled to. María is someone who’s done just that. 

María spoke to us after wearing Club Atlético de Madrid’s new third shirt to discuss the power of community, the importance of having football kits that empower women both on and off the pitch, and her words of advice for the next wave of changemakers.

That’s really empowering. It’s like your voice is in people’s ears, impacting their lives in ways you might not expect.

María: Exactly! Sometimes it feels surreal. I used to be really careful about every word I wrote, wanting it to reflect my truth. But now, I’m more about having fun with it. People interpret songs in their own ways, and as long as it makes them feel good, that’s what matters.

If you could give advice to the next generation of women breaking barriers, especially in women’s football and culture, what would you say?

Honestly? Don’t listen to men. Focus on the women around you. We’ve been conditioned to seek validation from others, especially from men, but we need to support each other and just do what makes us happy. It’s funny how much we can uplift each other without needing external approval.

That fits perfectly with ‘Together We Rise’...

It really does! I think I’d also tell the next generation to try and accept that mistakes are part of any process. In the end, nothing is as important as we often think, and mistakes are valuable because they help us grow. They’re truly the only way to learn. So, we need to take the stigma out of failure and rejection, keep moving forward, and trust that, in time, we will reach our goals. 

Football can be a powerful tool when it comes to helping people overcome failure. For footballers especially, they’ve got no choice but to get up and try again. But it’s usually the support of their teammates and wider networks that gets them to the top. ‍

Exactly! Football is so special. It brings people together for so many reasons. I get emotional seeing more girls in the stands now, too. It used to be so male-dominated, and I felt like I had to prove my passion for the game.

It’s frustrating to feel like you have to justify your interests.

Totally! I once had a guy ask me to name the starting eleven for Atlético, and I was just like, “why do I have to prove anything?”. It’s wild how men can talk freely about sports without scrutiny while women have to defend their love for it.

It’s a double standard for sure.

Exactly! And it’s the same in music. I’ve noticed how different it is in the studio. When I work with men, it can feel like I have to fight for my ideas. But when I collaborate with other women or men who listen, it’s like a breath of fresh air. It shouldn’t be so hard to be heard.

That must be a relief when it happens, though.

It really is! It’s sad to realise how rare it is to feel truly heard, though. I can only imagine how tough it is for women in sports.

Definitely. It’s encouraging to see younger women in football embracing their passions without needing to conform to old expectations.

Absolutely! If people don’t want to support us, that’s fine. We’ll keep pushing forward, with or without them.

Club Atlético de Madrid’s 24/25 third kit is available to purchase now via Nike.com.

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María wears Nike, VAGABOND, FALKE, Hey Harper, HOOPS + CHAINS LDN, stylist's own and KITTENstudio.

VERSUS: ‘Together We Rise’ celebrates the ascendency of the women’s game. How important is it to showcase this narrative?

‍María: For me, community is everything — especially in environments that are not friendly or favourable, such as the world of football or sports for women, and even in the music industry, which is where I dedicate my efforts. On an individual level, accomplishing goals becomes much more challenging, particularly in our ultra-individualistic society, where we engage less with others and often find ourselves isolated at home.

It’s vital to focus on the idea of community and collective management. United, people cannot be defeated, and we must hold onto this truth, even when there are attempts to make us forget. I love that this notion is the foundation of our campaign; it’s fascinating to me that, at this moment in history, we are emphasising cooperation and the importance of thinking about others. Reclaiming solidarity is essential, and I believe it’s one of the most valuable lessons in life. The act of considering others and coming together is incredibly important.

We have seen such a momentum in women’s football since Euro 2022, the UWCL and even the domestic leagues. What are you excited for next?

Representation is incredibly important moving forward. It’s essential to give significance to marginalised areas, especially now that we’re at a pivotal moment for women's football. People want to see it; they’re interested. We need to invest in it — both financially and in terms of media coverage. Ultimately, the success of women’s football depends on how much we’re willing to invest in giving female athletes the opportunity to shine and providing them with visibility in the press and media in particular.

There’s a growing belief that women’s football has enormous potential. Confidence in its success is building, and it’s clear that there’s an audience eager to watch. This momentum has been building, and I believe we’ll see significant changes in the coming years. I’m already noticing it, with much more attention being paid to women's sports across the board.

For example, the current discussions about kit design are exciting. I personally love wearing soccer jerseys, and it’s thrilling to see how the landscape is evolving.

The level of detail and storytelling that goes into kit design nowadays is next level. Each of these third kits has their own bespoke design language. What’s your favourite thing about this kit?

The truth is…I love it! I think this kit is a very comfortable option for everyday wear, and it also makes a statement. It’s special, especially the shield, which I love in pink, and the redirection of the Nike logo — I think that’s super unique. The colours they’ve chosen are fantastic, and I particularly love how the shield looks against the shirt’s blue base. I love the designs of football shirts in general, but I find this campaign particularly inspiring because of its boldness. The colours, patterns, and templates are incredibly accessible and easy to appreciate. 

We’re seeing more and more players dip their toes into the world of fashion. Why do you think that is?

I especially admire the way some female athletes express themselves through fashion. Unlike many male athletes who often earn significant amounts of money and have the freedom to mould their style, it’s amazing to see that female athletes are now also embracing that freedom. I love seeing people express themselves through fashion, and it’s fascinating to watch how it encourages their confidence. It’s something that inspires me as well, playing with fashion and style.

You can’t rise to the top without overcoming barriers. What’s been your biggest challenge to date?

Having faced various challenges, I think my biggest struggle has been trusting my vision and believing in myself. It’s important for me to pursue things the way I feel them, rather than simply following how others do things or conforming to societal expectations. It can be very complicated to maintain confidence in yourself and make the decisions you want to make without being influenced by those around you.

Seeing women who inspire me and who confidently pursue their beliefs helps a lot. For instance, I admire footballers who trust in themselves, even when others tell them they can’t make a living from the sport. Their determination is crucial; it’s super important for us to believe in ourselves and not conform to outdated standards of what we should be.

I’ve always tried to embrace this mindset, but as I’ve grown, I’ve learned to listen to myself more. I find myself at a point in my career where I truly value this self-awareness and recognize it in other women. This has been my biggest challenge, but it also enriches me the most—trusting in myself and seeing other women challenge the norms and do things their own way.‍

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

One important lesson I’ve learned — whether from others or from myself — is not to be afraid of making mistakes. Many times, we hold back from doing things out of fear of getting it wrong, looking foolish, or being judged.

If you could link up with any artist to collaborate with on a track for ‘Together We Rise’ who would it be and why?

I really believe my music could bring that energy because it’s been used by athletes to hype themselves up before games. I’ve actually heard from players that they listen to my tracks in the locker room before they hit the pitch. I just feel like I could create something powerful and fun that helps people, especially women, feel energised and confident.

How does it feel when your music transcends the typical music space and ends up in different cultural contexts?

It’s super rewarding! When I write, I just want people to dance and feel happy. So, realising that my music can be a source of motivation in various situations — like working out or even before a big meeting — is really fascinating. It’s cool to think that my songs might help someone feel powerful or inspired.