Chilean international and Ninja A-League great Maria ‘Cote’ Rojas is set to become an Australian citizen this month, 10 years on from her arrival Down Under.
Ahead of the significant achievement, the 37-year-old fan favourite speaks to aleagues.com.au about a “life changing” decade in Australia – and what her status as an Australian citizen will mean in regards to a Ninja A-League comeback next season.
From the NPL to the Ninja A-League, Chilean international Maria Rojas has spent the past 10 years becoming a cult hero in Australian football.
A decade has passed since Rojas, affectionately known as ‘Cote’, first stepped foot on the land that, unbeknown to her then, would become her long-term home.
Rojas was only meant to stay in Adelaide for one year, then move on to Japan where she intended to continue her club career.
“But then, I met my partner,” Rojas said. “So I stayed here, and I’m still here!”
It’s from her home in Adelaide where Cota Rojas speaks to aleagues.com.au about her decade Down Under, ahead of a ceremony on Australia Day in late January that will confirm her status as a new Australian citizen.
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“I’m so happy,” she said. “I’m going to have been here for 10 years in March.
“I didn’t feel like I should be a citizen until a year ago. I said to my partner: ‘I think it’s time’. Yes, it’s been official to me in some aspects playing as a local, but for me what it means to become or be a part of Australia and become a citizen, it means much more. Because I have my partner and I’m growing a family here.
“When I made an appointment for the test, I remember getting read for my test. I showed up and they said: ‘You look really happy!’ And I said, ‘Yeah I’m really happy to do my test, I studied really hard!’
“It was about time. That came from my heart, that decision. It was nothing else. I’ve always been an international player and I’ve always enjoyed that, being the Chilean player – but now, if it helps to be a local, then excellent, but to me it means much more than that.
“It means to be a part of this beautiful country, and I’m so grateful for the opportunities – especially in football – that I’ve been given. I hope to keep giving back what you guys, especially the league, have given me.
“I’m looking forward to receiving the certificate, the ceremony will be here, in Adelaide, on Australia Day. It’s going to be exciting.
“I love Chile, it’s my country. Chile is my roots, I would say, and my heart is in Australia. It means a lot of love, a lot to be grateful for. I get very emotional to talk about it.
“Words can’t explain how it felt when I decided to become a citizen. Being a permanent resident, for me that was enough, and then I realised: ‘You know what? It is time to take that step’.
“My family here are happy and excited to see me receive my certificate and I hope that goes well. I’m looking forward to have it – not that it’s going to change anything, but I’m very happy. Not much will change but I’’m really excited to take this step.”
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Since 2015, Rojas has played in the NPL South Australia for Adelaide University, Salisbury Inter and Flinders United, and has enjoyed stints at Ninja A-League outfits Canberra United (twice), Adelaide United, Sydney FC and Melbourne City.
Although it’s been a decade since her arrival, Rojas still catches herself referring to the Australian people as “you” collectively, rather than “we” – a habit she’ll have to kick after her citizenship is confirmed.
“I’m very grateful. You guys – sorry, we – are very lucky to be here,” she said.
“I’m not going to lie, it was really hard for me at the beginning because I used to travel the world playing football, getting opportunities because I loved taking good opportunities.
“My heart is here now. Going back to Chile makes me realise how much I miss it, and how lucky we are to be in this beautiful country.
“I fell in love with how beautiful the country is, but also how great the people are. My best memories were at clubs like Sydney FC, for me that was an amazing time, we were Premiers and it holds a really special place in my heart. And Adelaide United, being my second club in the A-League and playing at home, which I really loved, it meant a lot to me.
“I’ve realised I put my heart into every team I’ve played for, representing not just them but people, the community, the country, it makes me feel part of it. The decision to become a citizen wasn’t hard to make because of how people made me feel being here.”
Rojas’ last season in the Australian top flight was with Canberra in 2023-24; she then ventured back to Chile to play for Santiago Morning and bagged 12 goals and eight assists in 20 Primera División Femenina fixtures.
On Christmas Eve, Rojas returned to Adelaide where the soon-to-be Australian citizen is set to play NPL football once again at Flinders United in 2025.
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Rojas says there were multiple Ninja A-League clubs after her signature this season but the decision was made to prioritise family life in Adelaide ahead of an intended return in 2025-26.
“I made the decision this year not to play and jump straight into the A-League, just because of how intense the league was over there (in Chile),” Rojas said.
“I need a period of time to settle and spend time with my Aussie family and my partner.
“I came back for Christmas on the 24th. Now my plan and idea is to keep playing, I’ve decided to stay local here just to spend time with my family, but keep playing local and then next season, go to the A-League.
“It was hard to say no. It was hard to say: ‘Hey, I want to spend time with my family’, but I’m looking forward to the next season. I had a couple of clubs (reach out) and spoke to the coaches as well who tried to convince me. I had to really look at what was best for me, at the moment coming back from Chile.
“I’ve been jumping from back-to-back leagues and going international for four years, I’m not kidding. Since 2020, I’ve been playing NPL, Adelaide United, NPL, Sydney, national team, overseas, Copa America, coming back to A-League – it’s been four years back-to-back.
“It was really difficult to say I have to spend time with my family and I will prioritise that and keep training here, and then looking forward to the next season.”
Becoming a citizen could open new doors for Rojas to pursue a Ninja A-League comeback in 2025, with clubs no longer needing to use a visa spot on the Chilean/Australian.
“If I get back to the league, which is my plan, I’m not going to be called an international player anymore – which I used to really enjoy,” Rojas said.
“But I’m happy with the citizenship – I know I’m not 100% Australian but I love this country, I’m grateful to be here and I’m just happy to keep working in football, to keep growing the next generation and growing the league.
“It’s easier for the clubs – I remember one coach said: ‘Cote, you’re international but you’ve been here so long – you need to become a citizen!’
“Becoming a local, it’s easier – you would be an international but not really, on paper you are local. I think it would be good for clubs not to use a spot. I’m looking forward to playing for the first time as a local player and we’ll see what happens.”
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