Realistically, we only ever see about half of what makes an elite athlete so great.
We see the goals, the well-timed runs off the ball, the other-wordly recovery runs and the jaw-dropping distribution. All of that is informed by repetitions in training and strong connections forged with teammates outside of the public eye. But, even before sequences are rehearsed on the training ground, they have to originate within a player’s mind.
Ahead of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, we’re excited to bring you a series of interviews with top players where they talk us through some of their best moments on the pitch. It’s called “My Game In My Words” and it’s something that has become a staple of The Athletic’s coverage. While the churn of any given season can cause athletes to face the same questions over and over in some form, their eyes often light up when they get to break down the nuances of how they approach their craft.
For those who are unfamiliar, one of The Athletic’s writers will sit with a player, one-on-one, and dissect a series of selected highlights. Some will be obvious: a monumental goal, a remarkable save. Others will force the player to break down lesser heralded parts of the game: positional play, reading an opponent, or when exactly to launch the ball…
