Living A Football Life

Luana Bühler, Switzerland

My name is Luana Bühler, a professional football player for TSG Hoffenheim and the Swiss National Team. I am also a part time student in economics. I did my bachelor’s degree in Zurich and currently I am studying online. 

I grew up in a small village in Switzerland with 2,000 people. We did not have a football club there, so I always had to go to the next village for that. There were almost no girls playing football because there were no teams for girls. Until I was 16, if I wanted to play, it had to be with boys.

As a young girl I started playing many different sports like tennis, athletics, and dancing. Until the age of 15 I was still doing three different things: tennis, athletics, and football. That was the point when I had to decide which direction I wanted to go in. But for me it was clear, football was my biggest passion. During this whole time my family was always my biggest support. Almost every day my parents had to drive me somewhere to train and compete with the best players. My older siblings were always there to challenge me at home as well (I have five siblings). 

My start in women's football was really rough, as I had some serious knee injuries in a young age, including two ACLs and several other little things that led to five knee surgeries. These times were probably the most difficult ones but also the ones that made me the strongest and the person I am today! The fight back made me stronger minded and also really thankful to be a healthy professional football player and doing what I love the most. 

What did you try to show with the photos? Was there any wider meaning with the photos?

The photos were taken during the spring season with TSG Hoffenheim and in two different camps with the national team in Switzerland and Marbella. In the photos are players and staff members from both teams. 

I wanted to capture different moods off the pitch, but always before or after training and game situations. 

When I look at the photo of our team with the Swiss flag I have so many emotions. I imagine that I am right before a game with the national team and feel this excitement and the pride to represent my nation. I am fortunate enough to play the sport I love with people that are really close to me for years. This feeling of happiness and thankfulness is incredible. 

I cannot even tell you how much I share with these people. Fun fact, I even share a tattoo with my friends from the team in Hoffenheim. You become so close with the people in a team. Because football is a sport that moves fast and there is so much going on, there are so many memories you make for yourself but also share together with these friends. There is plenty of room for moments to collect. It is not only football you learn about, it is the life you live while playing football where you learn and grow the most in my opinion.

What are the opportunities and challenges for women’s footballers in Switzerland and Germany? What changes have you seen in women’s football since you started playing?

In Switzerland there is almost no professional football. Most of the players must work alongside playing football. Also the infrastructure at all different levels is missing. Young players have no facilities to grow and develop themselves and even teams in the 1st division have problems providing a secure environment for players. 

The differences since I started playing in a women's team are huge. In my first team I had to pay a membership to even play at the highest level in Switzerland. Our strength training took place in the changing room because no other room was available. Things like that were normal 10 years ago. Everything now is way different; I have the possibility to play and train on a professional level. With good facilities, staff and wages that allow me to develop myself without worrying about the bills I have to pay by the end of the month. 

What role does football play in your community and Swiss society?

Football brings people together, gives joy and happy moments. That is what I see in my community. In Swiss society football is a popular sport which everybody can be a part of. 

What is one thing you always do to prepare before a game?

Two things (one serious and one fun fact). Visualisation and I always brush my teeth before a game!

What does football and representing your country mean to you? 

Football means living the dream, for me and for many little girls out there. I am so proud and thankful to have the privilege to represent my country by doing what I love the most. 

I always thrive for development in all different ways, on the personal level as well as on the professional one. I want to see what I can reach by being humble and working hard every day. 

What does the future look like for women's football? What do you want/expect to change after the 2023 Women’s World Cup?

I want to see more attention on women’s football worldwide. We need to get the help and support to provide good infrastructure for all the girls out there that have this dream of being a professional football player one day. We need to keep working towards these goals all together.