By Latiifah Amusan
In a surprising revelation, Super Falcons forward, Asisat Oshoala opened up about her early aspirations, which didn’t involve football stardom but rather a future in law.
The five-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year shared her candid thoughts during an interview with Karen Carney on the popular podcast, Leaders Of The Pack.
“I never wanted to play football professionally. It was never in my plan,” Oshoala admitted, as she reflected on her childhood dreams.
“So I wanted to be a lawyer, for real. That was my dream. You know, I love to make research. I love to question people. I love to make excuses for people. And all of that, you know. So even though when you are wrong, I still, kind of like, back my friends up. I kind of like to give excuses.” She said.
Despite her early passion for law, fate had different plans for the talented Nigerian footballer.
Oshoala’s football journey began to take shape when her skills on the pitch caught the attention of clubs both in Nigeria and abroad.
Embracing the opportunities that came her way, she showcased her talent on several notable teams, including English clubs Arsenal and Liverpool, Chinese club Dalian, and Nigerian clubs Rivers Angels and FC Robo.
Throughout her illustrious career, Oshoala has accumulated an impressive list of accomplishments.
Her tenure at Arsenal saw her clinch the 2015 FA Women’s Cup, while her time in China with Dalian resulted in two league championships and a cup title.
However, it was her move to Spanish giants Barcelona that truly catapulted her to the global stage.
In the famous Blaugrana colors, Oshoala’s career soared to new heights.
She helped Barcelona reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League for three consecutive years and even played a key role in securing a spot in one final.
On 16 May 2021, Oshoala etched her name in history books as she became the first African woman to lift the UEFA Champions League trophy, following Barcelona’s 4–0 victory over Chelsea in the finals.
Notably, Oshoala’s exceptional talent was recognized with multiple individual accolades.
She earned the prestigious Pichichi Trophy, making her the first African woman to do so in the Primera División. Additionally, she made history as the first African woman to be nominated for the Ballon D’Or award not once but twice.
While Oshoala may have started with dreams of a legal career, her football journey has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Her passion for the game and dedication to honing her skills have made her an inspiration for aspiring footballers, especially young girls, across Africa and beyond.
As the ongoing 2023 Women’s World Cup continues, Oshoala’s performances have once again captivated fans worldwide.
Her revelation about her early dreams serves as a reminder that sometimes, life takes us on unexpected paths, leading us to greatness we could have never imagined.
