The most beautiful soccer referee in Russia

Ekaterina Kostyunina, a student at the Pedagogical University of Krasnoyarsk, has gained thousands of followers from all over the world on Instagram after being named the most beautiful soccer referee in Russia.

Ekaterina, now 21 years old and with 60 thousand followers on Instagram, started her soccer career at the age of 13: first with her friends and then joining the local women's team.

"I have always loved this sport since I was little, I have always been very attracted to soccer," Ekaterina said to Sputnik World.

In 2013, the young soccer player was offered, for the first time, to act as a referee in several matches, which marked the beginning of her fast-paced career.

"I wanted to continue developing as a referee and not as a player," Kostyunina recalled, adding that now she is sure that her future is closely linked to soccer.

Women usually do not dedicate themselves professionally to this profession, as there are still certain disadvantages for them, including the inherent machismo in almost all sports, especially soccer.

Recently, in Spain, referee Marta Galego suspended a match in the Second Catalonian Division for a few minutes because a spectator told her to "go wash dishes".

Ekaterina recognized that sometimes unpleasant moments arise, but these difficulties associated with this profession do not scare her or hinder her ambitions.

"They shout different things, but nothing unpleasant. In any case, I try not to react and detach myself from those moments, and draw positive conclusions for myself," the referee explained.

The young woman also remembered a curious case from her career as a soccer authority, when in an away match, under heavy and incessant rain, fans approached to offer her their jackets and umbrellas, while she, soaked, thanked them.

"I found it a very nice gesture, although I couldn't accept it," Ekaterina recalled.

The secret to her slim figure, according to the young woman, is the gym, healthy eating, and classes at the university, where she studies and trains to be a physical education teacher.

"This is my success. Sports are part of my life," added Ekaterina, for whom it was a surprise when she was awarded the unofficial title of the most beautiful referee in Russia.

But besides being popular in Russia, the young woman with no sentimental commitments is also famous abroad, receiving messages from Europe and America.