Anna Kristīne Gornela‘s football journey began at the tender age of five. Introduced to the sport by a neighbor, it didn’t take long for the young midfielder to fall in love with the game. “I love having the ball at my feet,” she recalls with a smile. Her earliest football memory is one of boldness and belief—her coach instructed her to take the ball to goal without passing because he trusted she could score. That fearless mentality still defines her game today. Growing up, Gornela admired Cesc Fàbregas, whose creativity and elegance in midfield for Arsenal left a lasting impression. “I had a huge poster of him. He was a creative midfielder for Arsenal,” she reminisces. Now, she finds her style reminiscent of Julie Ertz and Declan Rice. “I aspire to be like Ertz. She was a defensive midfielder but also an attacking threat. I would also say Declan Rice; he is great at tackling and defending but also making those penetrating passes.” Her admiration for these midfield giants is evident in her aggressive yet composed style of play.
Gornela’s career has been nothing short of remarkable. In the 2022/23 season, she lifted the Panelinio Protathlima trophy with PAOK, securing the Women’s Alpha Ethniki, the highest professional women’s league in Greece. Her performance helped PAOK clinch second place in the UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifying stage. The following year, she moved to ŽNK Mura in Slovenia, where she once again triumphed, winning the Slovenian league title and contributing to the team’s third-place finish in the Champions League qualifiers.
In 2024, she made opted to move to her ancestral home, signing for the newly-formed Riga FC Women. Despite the risks of joining a fledgling club, her belief in Riga’s vision paid off. With Gornela commanding the midfield, Riga FC won the Latvian Women’s League with a dominating record of 17 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw. Their success secured a spot in the 2025 UEFA Women’s Champions League, adding another chapter to Gornela’s growing legacy in European competitions, right alongside her experience with PAOK and ŽNK Mura, where she played key roles in their qualification stages.
Gornela describes her impression of the Latvian league as intensely competitive but also challenging due to disparities in funding and resources.
“The best thing about the domestic league here is the spirit of competition. The teams always come ready to play and fight,” she notes.
If she could change one thing, it would be greater investment and support for women’s football to level the playing field. The fierce rivalry between Riga FC and RFS is well known in the men’s game, and Gornela confirms that the intensity carries over to the women’s league. “We do take the derby very seriously. We don’t want to just win but make a clear statement about who is the best team in Riga.” With Gornela in their ranks and a recent 5-0 derby win, Riga FC Women is making that statement louder than ever.
Riga FC Women is set to debut in the Baltic Women’s Football League this year, and Gornela is eager to face top competition from Estonia and Lithuania. “I have high expectations for this competition. It’s a great opportunity for us as a team.” Among the teams is FK Gintra, a dominant force in Lithuanian and regional women’s football. “I watched them play RFS Women earlier this year. I believe they will be great competitors,” she states with confidence.
For aspiring female footballers, Gornela’s message is simple but profound: “Don’t give up when the first big setback happens. Mental toughness is important to becoming a resilient player and person.” She also encourages those considering professional or semi-professional football to pursue it wholeheartedly. “If you don’t try, you will never know and will regret it later.” U.S. college soccer is an ideal path for education and competitive play, according to Anna.
With Riga FC Women poised for UEFA Women’s Champions League action and the Baltic Women’s Football League debut, Gornela’s career continues to expose her to new experiences and challenges. Her journey is proof that belief, resilience, and passion can take you from local pitches of Nebraska to the highest of European stages. As she continues to write her own legacy, one thing is certain—Anna Kristīne Gornela is a name to follow in women’s football.