University of Manitoba Athletics

In 2003, soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo impressed Manchester United in a pre-season friendly, so much so that the English club signed the forward for that upcoming season. The rest is history.

History somewhat repeated itself when Celeste Gallego starred for Chico’s Soccer School of Excellence in a friendly against the Manitoba Bisons. She contributed with two goals, prompting coach Vanessa Martinez Lagunas to snap up the forward ahead of the 2016-17 campaign.

“Chico spoke to Vanessa prior to the game and suggested that she should consider taking a look at me,” said Gallego. “After the game she offered me a spot on the team. This program chose me – I never intended on playing with the Bisons. In the end I think this program was the right decision for me.”

Already, Gallego possess two important traits as an attacking player – speed and attacking instincts.

“I’m hoping that I can learn their style of playing, especially at such a high level,” she said. “I think that I’ll learn how to be aggressive and how to attack the net with confidence – Bruna and Alanna are great strikers and I’m sure I can learn a lot from them.”

As a first-year Bison in 2016, Gallego was handed 18 minutes in her U SPORTS debut against the Regina Cougars. 
In 2017, her time on the pitch grew to eight appearances including six starts. She also contributed with a goal against the Lethbridge Pronghorns in a 3-0 victory. The tally marked her first ever Bison goal and stood as the game-winner. She is looking forward to contributing even more to the team’s success in 2019.