Manchester City's Kerstin Casparij: 'I love football - but it takes over your life'
Kerstin Casparij loves football, especially Champions League nights under the lights, but perspective is important too. "I would say football is my most important secondary thing in life, and I've found that such a refreshing way of looking at it," she says before Manchester City's trip to Milan to face Inter on Tuesday.
"It is so important to me and I love it so much and if I lose I'm going to have a terrible day, but my family's healthy, my friends are healthy, I am, and I don't have to worry about anything; I don't have to worry about getting the food on the table. Being able to see things from that perspective makes it so much easier to stay the person I've always been.
The 26-year-old Dutch full-back has had a phenomenal year,winning a first league titleand FA Cup with Manchester City in her fourth season in England. Casparij was integral, having arguably her best season in the Women's Super League, scoring three times and providing seven assists - the joint-most assists in the league with Aston Villa's Lynn Wilms.
Key to her growth last season under Andrée Jeglertz was that now I'm allowed to really play on almost the whole right side", she says. "And I'm allowed to and trusted with pushing forward and taking risks in the final third.
Like all team players, Casparij credits her teammates, but her contribution was recognised with a place on the Ballon d'Or shortlist. She finished in 24th place, the fifth-highest defender.
Being able to share these wins with her team outside the team is important too. They work tirelessly to help me out", she says.
"Especially my partner, who is so invested in my career and has been such an incredible support and helped me out in more ways than I can count. There are so many incredible people around me and I'm just really happy I can give back to them as well, as much as I'm proud of myself for achieving it.
Casparij's authenticity, openness and playfulness have made her a fan favourite, not only at City but across the league. Her pun-loaded Instagram captions are as witty and self-critical after a defeat as they are sharp when City win.
She is funny, shows fire on the pitch and is not afraid of banter with rivals, and is also a passionate advocate for the causes that matter to her, including asan LGBT Foundationpatron and by sharing her experiences growing up with ADHD. Social media is a key tool for connecting."