Leah Williamson has said she doesn’t mind being a role model for women in sport following her heroics for England at the Euros this summer.
The 25-year-old skippered the Lionesses as Sarina Wiegman’s side went all the way to winning England’s first international trophy since the men’s side won the World Cup in 1966.
Beating Germany at Wembley Stadium was a huge achievement on the pitch, but more than anything, it was a historic moment for women’s football and the sport as a whole.
While the Arsenal midfielder has acknowledged that being a role model comes with the territory of being a professional footballer, Williamson believes it is his duty to use his platform for the good of women at home. inside and outside of football.
Speaking to Lianne Sanderson on Gameday Countdown, Williamson said: “When you decide to become a professional footballer, you don’t really have a choice with any of it.
“I was lucky because I had a family that put all these role models in front of my face, but for a lot of girls it was a lot harder and they had to look up those inspirational people to look up to.
“This responsibility does not bother me at all. We still have a long way to go because the game has come a long way, but there is still a long way to go and I never want to look back and think that I could have done more to involve more girls and inspire more people.
“Even though they don’t want to become professional footballers, in this competition we wanted to come across as human beings who were having fun and enjoying what we were doing while achieving success.
“You can do both and it’s ultimately what we’ve achieved that I’m really proud of because not everyone wants to be a professional footballer but to look up to us and see women go after what they want and be able to achieve it. “
Now that the Lionesses’ Euro glory is behind them, Williamson says she is ready to pick up the pace with Arsenal, at least after enjoying a short break.
She said: “When it comes to the WSL, don’t get me wrong, I take my time off. It’s been a crazy two months and there’s been a lot to deal with and a lot of changes have been made, but when I come back to Arsenal I’ll be ready.
“I can’t give them anything less than everything I have because I love being there.”
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