222 fun facts in this category
AC Milan
Before fully dedicating herself to football, Marta represented Italy in ball sports, winning a bronze medal at the 2012 World Championship in the Netherlands. Her years playing pallapugno helped develop the coordination, reactions and competitive mentality she later brought onto the football pitch.
FC Como Women
Before focusing entirely on football, Chiara tried several different sports, including volleyball, swimming, horse riding and baseball, before discovering that football was the perfect fit.
Melbourne City FC
She fell in love with football because of a voice: Sean Connery narrating the 1982 World Cup documentary G’ole.
Napoli
Before focusing entirely on football, Naja also practised ju-jitsu and handball as a child. Her mother recalls that she was always an energetic and competitive athlete who loved trying different sports.
Como 1907
As a child, she originally dreamed of playing tennis because she loved watching players lift up championship trophies on television.
Utah Royals FC
Before fully committing to soccer, she was a national-level taekwondo athlete and holds a black belt.
Lech Poznań UAM
Before football took over, Oliwia also practised swimming — a sport she eventually swapped for life on the pitch.
Non-football beginnings
She was originally into athletics, but switched to football after filling in for a missing player during a training session. That casual start led to a full career.
Arsenal WFC
Until she was 17, she played handball alongside football. But she brings things from handball that are also applicable in football - like the ability to make quick decisions.
Non-football beginnings
She began her football career to avoid joining the school choir (that was the activity that all of the girls did).
San Diego Wave FC
Tennis was a major part of her childhood before football became her profession.
UNAM Pumas
She initially pursued dance from ages 7 to 10 before deciding she wanted to do "something a little more active" and switching to soccer at age 11.
AC Milan
Her mum once tried to steer her away from football by enrolling her in dance classes and avoiding watching matches.
Arsenal WFC
As a child she did swimming, gymnastics, running, and played basketball.
RB Leipzig
Before choosing football, Elvira tried out dancing, handball, floorball, and swimming.
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Concorde Fire SC
Michigan State Spartans
AFC Toronto