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Everton footballer Rikke Madsen had a special moment after her team's 3-0 win against Crystal Palace in the Women's Super League. She had just returned to playing after maternity leave, and her comeback was already emotional. But after the match, her partner, Martin Thomsen, surprised her with a marriage proposal on the field. Their baby daughter, Fritsen, was also there, making it an unforgettable moment for the family.

Madsen, who played an important role in Everton’s win, was overwhelmed with happiness. The surprise proposal was caught on camera, and fans celebrated the heartwarming scene. This event made her return to football even more special, showing the strong support from her family and the football community.

Arsenal and Sweden defender Amanda Ilestedt continued light training after announcing her pregnancy in March 2024, adjusting exercises under medical supervision to ensure safety for herself and her baby. As her pregnancy progressed, she faced complications that required her to stop training and focus on pelvic-floor exercises to prepare for childbirth. After delivering her daughter, Mila, via C-section on August 30, 2024, Ilestedt gradually resumed physical activity, rebuilding strength and reconnecting with her muscles.

Balancing motherhood and her professional career, Ilestedt managed her training schedule alongside breastfeeding, with support from her partner and Arsenal's accommodations. She made her return to competitive play five months post-birth, coming on as a substitute in Arsenal's FA Cup match against Bristol City on January 29, 2025. Reflecting on her journey, Ilestedt expressed pride in returning to top-level football after childbirth and hopes to inspire other women to see that it's possible to pursue both motherhood and a professional sports career.

The England Women's football team is currently in discussions with the Football Association (FA) regarding bonuses for their upcoming European Championship defense. Led by captain Leah Williamson, along with senior players Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright, the team has expressed disappointment over the FA's initial bonus offer, feeling it falls short compared to other top international teams. For example, Spain's players received £250,000 each for their World Cup win, and have secured a favorable package for the European Championship.

The Lionesses are seeking an increase from the £55,000 bonus they received for winning Euro 2022, especially since UEFA has increased the tournament's prize money. Despite improved relations since the last dispute before the World Cup two years ago, the players are frustrated by the delay in reaching a resolution and the significant disparity in bonuses compared to their male counterparts. The FA has declined to comment on the ongoing negotiations.

Chelsea striker Sam Kerr will not return to play before the international break in April, according to manager Sonia Bompastor. The Australian forward, 31, has been out for over a year due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in January 2024. Despite returning to individual training in January, Kerr is still not fit to rejoin the squad. Bompastor stated that they are monitoring her progress weekly and will reassess her situation after the break. Chelsea has three more matches before then, including two against Manchester City and one against West Ham.

Kerr was included in Chelsea’s Champions League squad but did not play in their recent loss to Manchester City. Australia’s interim coach, Tom Sermanni, had hoped she would be available for two friendlies against South Korea in early April, but her return remains uncertain. In February, Kerr was found not guilty of racially aggravated harassment following an incident with a Metropolitan Police officer.

Aisha Solórzano, a 26-year-old forward from Guatemala City, has made history by becoming the first Guatemalan-born player to join the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She signed with Utah Royals FC for a significant fee of $270,000, marking a milestone for both her career and her country's representation in the league. Solórzano's journey began in Liga MX Femenil with Puebla, where she scored 14 goals in 29 appearances. She then moved to Club Tijuana, netting an impressive 16 goals in 16 matches. Her standout performance during the 2024 NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup, including a hat-trick against Seattle Reign, highlighted her goal-scoring prowess and caught the attention of international scouts.

Internationally, Solórzano debuted for the Guatemalan national team at the age of 15 during the 2014 CONCACAF Women's Championship. Since then, she has earned 21 caps and scored three goals, becoming an inspirational figure for young Guatemalan players, especially considering the challenges faced by the underfunded national team. At Utah Royals FC, Solórzano aims to adapt to the NWSL's fast-paced style and bolster the team's attacking options, bringing her speed and tenacity to the forefront. Her signing not only strengthens the Royals' offense but also signifies the growing exchange of talent between women's leagues in the United States and Mexico.

Chelsea’s Lucy Bronze, one of England’s most successful footballers, has opened up about her autism and ADHD diagnoses, which she received in 2021. From a young age, she noticed she was different from others, often struggling with reading and spelling due to dyslexia and finding social interactions challenging. She masked her autism by copying her teammates' behavior to fit in, but she often felt uncomfortable with eye contact and physical contact like hugs. Despite these challenges, she believes that understanding her neurodiversity has helped her accept herself and improve her well-being.

Bronze credits her autism and ADHD for her deep focus and obsession with football, which has contributed to her long and successful career. Training every day provides structure and energy, helping her manage her condition. Now an ambassador for the National Autistic Society, she hopes to raise awareness and remove the stigma around autism. She encourages others to embrace their differences, emphasizing that a diagnosis doesn’t change who you are but helps you understand yourself better. Even after football, she is confident she will find something else to focus on, as her passion for the game extends beyond playing.

The growth of women's football is being hindered by inadequate infrastructure and poor pitch conditions. Recent incidents involving top teams like Chelsea and Manchester City have highlighted these challenges. For instance, during the League Cup final at Derby County's Pride Park, players expressed concerns about the subpar quality of the pitch and facilities. This issue is not isolated to England; players from clubs like Real Madrid and Arsenal have also faced similar problems with poor pitch conditions.

Despite the sport's increasing popularity, with rising match attendances and lucrative commercial deals, women's teams often rely on men's club infrastructure and play in less accessible locations. Experts argue that for sustained growth, women's football should be viewed as an emerging business line, with clubs recognizing the value of their women's teams as independent assets. The lack of purpose-built stadiums and limited broadcast coverage further hinder progress, emphasizing the need for dedicated investment and strategic initiatives to fully realize the potential of women's football.

The World Sevens Football (W7F) is a new global seven-a-side women's soccer series set to launch with a significant $100 million investment over five years. The inaugural event will take place in Estoril, Portugal, from May 21-23, 2025, featuring a $5 million prize pool per event, with the winning team receiving $2.5 million. The tournament will include eight professional women's clubs, with roster selections at each club's discretion.

The W7F was co-founded by Jennifer Mackesy, a minority investor in NJ/NY Gotham FC and Chelsea FC, and entrepreneur Justin Fishkin. A player advisory council led by former U.S. international Tobin Heath, along with Kelley O'Hara, Anita Asante, Caroline Seger, and Laura Georges, emphasizes a player-centric approach. The tournament format consists of 7-vs.-7 games with two 15-minute halves, designed to provide high-intensity matches while minimizing player fatigue.