Preeti Rai

Preeti Kulung Rai (प्रीति राई; born 21 November 2004) is a Nepalese footballer who plays as a midfielder for KickStart FC and Nepal National Women Team. Rai made a remarkable debut for Nepal’s national women’s football team in a friendly match against Bangladesh at Dasharath Stadium on 9 September 2021. At just 16 years old, Rai showed her skills and made an immediate impact by scoring a stunning goal in the 22nd minute.

Early life
Rai is a native of Solukhumbu District, Nepal. She is the daughter of Chandra Prasad Rai and Gyanmaya Rai. She attended Sharada Academy in Nepal. She started playing football at the age of six.

Career
Rai was part of Nepal women's national football team at the 2024 WAFF Women's Championship. Nepal team scored second place in the tournament.

Style of play
Rai is mainly a midfielder. She and Dipa Shahi have been described as "smooth operators in the final third and often play intelligent passes in the attacking zone".