'World's most beautiful footballer' leaves club after half a season

In an Instagram post on Feb. 3, the 25-year-old announced her decision: "Sometimes things don't go as planned. After only half a season, I decided to leave Braga."

She reflected on her short but eventful stint in Portugal, describing it as a journey filled with ups and downs that helped her mature a lot as a player.

Ana Maria Markovic during her introduction for Braga. Photo by Braga

Markovic considers her teammates to be the best part of her time in Portugal, thanking them for their team spirit and all the great moments on and off the pitch. She also thanks Braga for the professional football environment and the support of the fans.

"The journey continues, and I'm excited about what's next," she added.

On the same day, Braga confirmed that Markovic's contract had been terminated by mutual agreement. The club thanked her for her dedication, commitment and professionalism, wishing her the best for the future.

Last month, Markovic made headlines on TikTok when she posted a tearful video bidding farewell to her boyfriend, footballer Tomas Ribeiro. The defender, who had been playing for Vitoria Guimaraes, signed for Farense in January, moving to the opposite side of the country.

"Sometimes I hate football," Markovic captioned the video.

Markovic as a player of Grasshopper Zurich. Photo by Instagram/@anamxrkovic

Born in Split, Croatia, Markovic moved to Switzerland at the age of 12 and began her football career there at 14.

Markovic joined Braga in August 2024 after playing for Grasshopper Zurich from 2020 to 2024, where she scored 17 goals in 78 appearances. She has also played for FC Zurich’s U21 team, netting seven goals in 26 matches between 2017 and 2019.

During her brief spell at Braga, Markovic made four appearances without scoring. She has represented the Croatian national team since 2021, scoring two goals in 20 matches.

Dubbed the "most beautiful player in the world," Markovic has repeatedly stated that she hopes fans focus on her football skills rather than her looks. She previously revealed that she models Cristiano Ronaldo's training and playing style, which she admires.