"Football has given me some wonderful experiences. As a young Arab and Egyptian woman playing for Stoke City from 2017 to 2021 I broke barriers and that paved the way for some exciting opportunities. Fifa selected me as a 2022 World Cup ambassador and put me in a film with David Beckham; I also became an Adidas ambassador and worked as an Afcon pundit for the BBC."
"But there have been less easy times as well. As an Egyptian international, representing a country that stands 95th in the Fifa rankings, there are obstacles to playing in the biggest leagues. Because of the points system for international players I left Stoke for the chance of playing second-tier football in Spain with Albacete. And since coming back to England, I've seen a world very distant from the new riches of the WSL."
She played for Stoke City from 2017 to 2021 and broke barriers as a young Arab Egyptian woman. FIFA selected her as a 2022 World Cup ambassador, she appeared in a film with David Beckham, became an Adidas ambassador, and worked as an AFCON pundit for the BBC. International ranking and the FIFA points system limited access to top leagues, prompting a move to second-tier Spanish football with Albacete. Returning to England revealed stark contrasts between the WSL's new wealth and the semi-professional reality at Halifax, where she accepted only expenses while on a student visa and struggled with unstable agreements.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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