Natasha Andonova: My parents are the real heroes, North Macedonia is in my heart

Natasha Andonova, one of North Macedonia's most successful footballers, spoke about her journey from Negotino and Veles to top European clubs and about the personal choices that today keep her away from the national team. The conversation took place after she accepted an invitation despite having a Champions League away match scheduled on 02 October 2026.

"I gladly accept to be part of the 'Women's Sports Stories' family. I have a Champions League match, and it's an away game, but I will find time to answer the questions," Andonova told us, and then addressed a range of topics about her career and ambitions.

Andonova described how football began as a simple love for the game rather than a planned profession. "When I look back, I think the most interesting thing is that at the beginning I didn't think about a career at all. I simply wanted to play football. It was something that made me happy and where I felt myself. As a girl, of course, I encountered comments like 'football is for boys', but that never sounded like a reason to stop. On the contrary, it maybe pushed me more to show I could. The turning point came when I began to realise that it was not only what I liked, but that I could be good at a level that could open doors for me. The national team, youth tournaments and then the first serious step abroad showed me that football could be my profession. I think the greatest talent I had was not only that I could play football, but that I never feared dreaming bigger," she said.

Parents, Potsdam and the first big step

Her move to German powerhouse Turbine Potsdam alongside her sister Sijche was a decisive moment. Andonova singled out her parents' role. "Turbine Potsdam was one of the biggest turning points in my life. Together with my sister we moved to Germany, and when I look back on that period today, I realise how great courage my parents had to let us, so young, go to a new country and a completely different world. Maybe then we were not fully aware of what that meant for them. Today I am endlessly grateful. That courage and trust means more to me than any transfer. Without my parents, without their support and without the sacrifice they made for me, I would not be the person and the footballer I am today. So when someone asks me who had the biggest role in my first transfer or in my career, I will always put my parents first together with my sister. They were the people who allowed me to dream and had the courage to let me follow that dream."

Andonova recalled later spells in Sweden and at PSG before joining Barcelona, describing the Catalan club as confirmation that a player from North Macedonia can reach the sport's highest stages. "Barcelona was something special. Not only because it was one of the biggest clubs in the world, but because at that time the whole club was surrounded by that incredible football energy. You come from North Macedonia and suddenly you are in Barcelona, in a club where Messi, Neymar and Suarez play… and everything you used to watch on TV becomes part of your everyday life. The most interesting thing is that over time you stop looking at names and start looking at people and professionals. You see how they work, how much details matter to them, how they treat football. And I think that was one of the greatest lessons: no matter how high you have reached, you can always learn from someone. Barcelona for me wasn't just a transfer. It was confirmation that a girl from North Macedonia can truly reach places that once seemed unreachable."

On the subject of the national team, Andonova was clear that her relationship with the country and the jersey remains deeply personal. "The national team for me is a subject that will always be very personal. I grew up with Macedonia. There I had my first national appearances, I wore the jersey with pride and I always wanted to give my best. At the same time, over the years you have different situations, different people, different periods. We had disagreements, we talked, we found common ground and I played for the national team again. So I don't want to see this topic as a conflict between me and the national team. If at a certain moment I'm not there, it doesn't mean I stopped loving North Macedonia or that the jersey doesn't mean anything to me. I think after so many years I have the right to say that I want things to be set with mutual respect, open communication and clear relations. I am always open to conversation. And what will happen next should be the result of a conversation among all parties, not assumptions or information through third parties," she said.

Andonova also used the interview to call for a structural shift in how the country treats women's football. "I think we must stop viewing women's football as something secondary. There is talent. That has never been the problem. The problem is that talent needs a system in which it can grow. We must start much earlier. Better work with youth categories, more coaches specialised in developing girls, better training conditions, more matches and a serious structure. Also, we must give girls a reason to believe they can have a professional career. I am proof that you can leave North Macedonia and reach the biggest clubs in Europe. But not every girl should have to leave North Macedonia to get development conditions. I would like one day a Macedonian girl to be able to dream big, and the system at home to help that dream become reality."

Looking beyond her playing days, Andonova said she intends to stay in football but prefers to keep options open: coaching, youth development, scouting or management. "Honestly, I don't want to put a title in front of myself yet. I know I want to stay in football. This sport has given me too much to one day simply say 'it's over' and move on. I'm interested in coaching, developing young players, management, scouting... and I want to try different sides of football to see where I can contribute the most. But one thing I know is that I would like the experience I've gained in Germany, Sweden, France, Spain, Saudi Arabia and Switzerland to one day be passed on to a next generation. Maybe the greatest goal after finishing my career will not be only that I work, but that I manage to leave something behind," the country's best player said.

Photo: Privatna arhiva na Natasha Andonova