Noemi Benz

At just 13, Noemi left home and moved in with a host family in Biel so that she could attend an elite football school for Switzerland’s most promising young players.

Alongside elite football, Noemi completed her vocational baccalaureate and worked in a 60% commercial position at insurance company Baloise — a period she described as feeling like “two full-time jobs”.

When she was 17, Noemi named three major career dreams: becoming a first-choice goalkeeper, playing abroad and reaching Switzerland’s senior national team. She later became a regular starter, joined Italian club Sassuolo and received senior international call-ups.

Manuel Neuer became her goalkeeping role model not only because of his ability, but especially because of his presence and leadership.

Coaches and observers were already describing the teenage Noemi as a natural leader who motivated teammates and communicated constantly from goal.