“I could have been a lawyer”- Record-breaking Nigerian Barcelona ace opens up

The Tremendous Falcons star needed to surmount difficulties earlier in her profession, however the struggles have paid off

Tremendous Falcons striker Asisat Oshoala has revealed that she confronted a whole lot of challenges together with her household earlier than she began enjoying professionally.

The final 14 years have most likely been the very best years for the Ikorodu-born Oshoala. 14 years of breaking boundaries, breaking data and setting new ones, and most significantly turning into an inspiration to kids who love soccer.

Oshoala’s story started at Lagos-based Nigerian Girls Soccer League Robo Queens. However her exploits on the 2014 Below-20 World Cup the place she received the Golden Boot award served because the springboard to an illustrious profession.

After spells in Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chinese language membership Dalian Quanjian, the 27-year-old earned a transfer to Spanish giants Barcelona in 2019.

As they are saying, the remainder is historical past. Oshoala grew to become the primary African to win the Champions League. Final season, she additionally received the pichichi race within the Laliga femini with 20 objectives.

This yr, Oshoala additionally grew to become the primary participant to win 5 CAF Participant of the 12 months awards.

Nevertheless, the Tremendous Falcons star admits that it was by no means simple for her at first.

“Rising up, I by no means had the intention to play soccer,” Oshoala stated in her FIFA documentary.

“I needed to be a lawyer. However I modified my thoughts as a result of I noticed I used to be good at enjoying soccer.

“In Africa, the woman youngster is predicted to be at residence to cook dinner, to do the loopy home chores at residence whereas the male youngster can go anyplace he desires.

“My dad and mom didn’t need me to play soccer. I used to be at all times punished each time I obtained again residence soiled, particularly my dad as a result of he needed me to give attention to college work.

“Generally, they might refuse to offer me meals as punishment at any time when I went to play soccer. And I must run to my Grandma’s place in order that they wouldn’t beat me.

“Nevertheless, all of it modified when the chance to play for FC Robo got here.”

Now, Oshoala is definitely the postal woman for Nigerian and African soccer. She is an inspiration to younger women who need to play the spherical leather-based recreation.

Even at 27, calling the Barcelona ace a legend just isn’t misplaced. After all, she would look to proceed together with her brilliance for the Tremendous Falcons on the World Cup subsequent yr.