Rebeca Bernal Rodríguez (born 31 August 1997), is a Mexican professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder or centre back for Women's Super League team Manchester United and captains the Mexico women's national team.
Early life Bernal joined Escuela de Futbol Cruz Azul in Ciudad Madero, where she was the only girl, around the age of seven. When she was 14, she moved to Monterrey to study psychology at the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education.
Club career Bernal joined CF Monterrey at the formation of Liga MX Femenil in the Apertura 2017.
She joined NWSL club Washington Spirit on 25 February 2025, signing a three-year deal in exchange for an undisclosed transfer fee. She won a trophy on her debut for the Spirit on 7 March, defeating the Orlando Pride on penalties in the 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup. Bernal converted her penalty kick in the shootout.
On 2 September 2026, Bernal signed for English Women's Super League club Manchester United, signing a three-year contract for a reported fee of £300,000. She was the first Mexican player to feature in the WSL.
International career Bernal played for Mexico at youth level at the 2014 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup and the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. She made her senior debut on 8 July 2017, starting in a 1–0 friendly loss to Sweden.
Bernal was selected to represent Mexico at the 2023 Pan American Games held in Santiago, Chile, where the Mexican squad went undefeated to win the gold medal for the first time in their history at the Pan American Games, defeating Chile 1–0. Bernal scored Mexico's winning goal.
International career
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsMexico201710201860202010202111120228220231122024142202521Total458
International goals No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 20 February 2021 Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico 3–1 3–1 Friendly 2. 17 February 2022 Estadio Universitario, San Nicolás de los Garza, Mexico 6–0 9–0 2022 CONCACAF W Championship qualification 3. 20 February 2022 Estadio Olímpico Félix Sánchez, Santo Domingo Dominican Republic 2–0 8–0 4. 25 October 2023 Estadio Sausalito, Viña del Mar, Chile 1–1 3–1 2023 Pan American Games 5. 3 November 2023 Estadio Elías Figueroa Brander, Valparaíso, Chile 1–0 1–0 6. 23 February 2024 Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, United States 5–0 8–0 2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup 7. 30 November 2024 Estadio Andrés Quintana Roo, Cancún, Mexico 3–1 4–1 Friendly 8. 5 April 2025 CPKC Stadium, Kansas City, United States 3–0 3–0 9. 2 March 2026 Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, Gros Islet, Saint Lucia 1–0 7–0 2026 CONCACAF W Championship qualification
Honors Washington Spirit NWSL Challenge Cup: 2025 Mexico U17 CONCACAF Women's U-17 Championship: 2013 Individual
CONCACAF W Gold Cup Best XI: 2024 References
External links