Strong Story

Carson Pickett is far more than the condition she was born with. It does not define her. And yet, her presence shows why representation matters — reminding thousands of children born differently that it doesn’t have to be a barrier.

We all know it’s part of the game. Football never stands still — players come and go, squads evolve, and change is inevitable. But that doesn’t make it any easier. Every fan has that one player — the one who feels woven into the identity of the club, the one you can’t quite imagine in another shirt. You convince yourself they’ll be there forever. So which departures have hurt fans the most?

Today’s story feels like something out of a reportage book by Åsne Seierstad. Just like in the Norwegian journalist’s work, this is no fictional tale — even if it reads like one. Footballer Nadia Nadim is not only a professional athlete, but also a qualified doctor. Her journey to the pitch led through refugee camps.

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, a condition that is frequently discussed in the world of women’s football. Many footballers who suffer from this disease are very open about it, sharing their experiences. What is it like to live with such a painful condition while also being a professional athlete, where your body is expected to perform at its peak?

Ann-Katrin Berger has lifted trophies with her clubs and won Olympic bronze with Germany. But the defining moments of her life did not come in stadiums — they came in a battle she fought twice, and won.

Today, Leah Williamson is among the most beloved players in the women’s game: a two-time Lionesses captain and a Champions League winner with Arsenal. But her journey to that status was not guaranteed. At one point, everything could have shifted because of a single interview.

Today, Esperanza Pizarro is one of the standout names in Uruguayan women’s football and a key presence at Eibar in Spain’s Liga F, where she has played since 2023. But her journey could easily have taken a very different turn.