Karla Rodríguez

Santos Laguna

She and Kobe Bryant had a special pre-match handshake while he coached her and his daughter at Mamba FC.

Constance Picaud

West Ham United FC

Before turning pro, she lived a double life as a volunteer firefighter while working two jobs: in a leisure centre and in a minibus company transporting children with disabilities.

Ndeye Awa Diakhaté

Les Marseillaises

Her father was the imam of their neighbourhood. She began playing on a field right in front of the mosque, often surrounded by boys, something her father initially found embarrassing.

Vanessa Fischer

SV Werder Bremen

Her dog Charly is a source of emotional support.

Abby Dahlkemper

Bay FC

She has a cockapoo named Bobby.

Lauri Requena

Granada CF

If stranded on a deserted island, she would take her dog Danna, a boat, and someone who makes her happy at that moment.

Kristin Carrer

Como 1907

Before every match, she kisses a photograph of her family that she keeps in her bag.

Paulina Dudek Verified

Paris Saint-Germain FC

Before matches, she does breathing exercises and enjoys doing crossword puzzles.

Emmy Jézéquel

RC Lens

During her time at Guingamp, she followed the exact same pre-match routine for years, including sitting in the same locker room seat before kickoff.

Kayla Sharples

Kansas City Current

She is both an athlete advisor and the sole female investor in Caddix, a football boot company. Its boots feature “smart stud” technology designed to reduce stress and rotational force on the knees and ankles.

Christen Press

Retired player

She and Tobin Heath co-host a podcast called The RE—CAP Show, focusing on sports, culture, and activism.

Tyler Lussi

Carolina Ascent FC

She co-founded Athlete Underneath, a clothing brand that promotes the idea that everyone is an athlete at heart, regardless of their physical condition.