Nadine Kessler and women’s football: “Girls, never stop trying”

Football, we know, is an extraordinary sport that ignites the passion and dreams of millions of people. Yet, even in this sport we still need theinvestments and energies to achieve greater inclusiveness, especially towards women who, both at an amateur and professional level, often live a gap compared to men. Fortunately, this situation is changing at a rapid pace, as confirmed by us Nadine Kessler, who is not without reason considered by many to be one of the strongest players to have played in recent years. After leaving football, you have not stopped making your contribution to the development of a world you love and today you are the head of women’s football at UEFA (Chief of Women’s Football).

We met her at Cecchi Point in Turin, on the occasion of the inauguration of “Lay’s RePlay”, a soccer field designed and managed in a responsible way both towards the environment (the carbon footprint has been zeroed) and towards the community club to which it was donated, thanks to a program of activities that aims to include those who risk remaining “on the sidelines”, including young players.

Kessler, what are the obstacles that a professional soccer player still encounters today?
“From a global perspective, the first barrier that still exists in some countries, not all of them, is that football is still perceived as a sport for men. An idea that is found at all levels, not only at the professional level. It is something we need to work on and fortunately it is changing quickly. If, on the other hand, we look only at the professional level, there is still a lack of investments and standards that allow women’s football to develop further ».

What do we need to reduce the gap between men and women in professional football?
“We need to educate and provide more opportunities on the ground, where we need to give girls access from the very early stages, when they are still very young. Girls must be able to play with children, feel part of the game. Then there is visibility because “if you can see it, you can become it”: it is important that the media talk about women’s football and that there is support from those who can influence opinions. This aspect has also been improving in recent years ».

How has the gap between men and women in this sector changed in recent years? In Italy, for example, the minimum salary for professional players.
“This is a fantastic novelty and is taking shape in other countries as well, including Spain, the UK, Germany and France. It is a change that for the first time affects more than one country: usually when I was playing, news like these concerned at most one European country and the United States. Now, on the other hand, there is a ferment running through Europe and countries are positively challenging each other on this issue. There are also various organizations and investors who are understanding that women’s football is a smart investment, with potential growth similar to that of men: investments are far superior if compared to just two years ago ».

How do projects that impact local communities such as ‘Lay’s RePlay’ help create a more inclusive world of football?
«I started my career right on a field like the one inaugurated today, where I was welcome to join and play with the boys. If inclusivity takes shape in local communities like this, then that’s where we see real change. That’s when the parents say: “ok, I’ll let my daughter go and play soccer with the other kids”. Projects like this make it clear that football can be a sport that includes and welcomes all people. Not all of them have to be professional players: just get together, meet friends, and have a good time ».

What would you say to a girl to encourage her to continue her career in professional football?
“It’s the best choice you can ever make and if you believe it, never stop trying.”

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