The Best Version Of Myself
Ramona Bachmann, Chelsea & Switzerland
Goal Click and #WePlayStrong teamed up for a collaboration to tell the inside story of the UEFA Women’s Champions League, from the personal perspective of the players. Ramona Bachmann (Chelsea and Switzerland) documented her football life during the knockout stages of the UWCL.
Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your football life?
I have played professionally for 12 years now. I left Switzerland and went to Sweden when I was 16 years old to play for, at that time, the best team in Europe, which was Umeå IK. Marta, the Brazilian football star was playing for them, so that was something really big for me, to be able to get my first professional contract at 16 years old.
What has been your football journey up until now?
My journey has been really good. I have been lucky to not have any big injuries. I have won a lot of titles with different teams and a lot of personal titles as well, so my career has been very good. But there are always lows. I definitely had one of my lowest points when I was playing for Wolfsburg, it just didn't go the way I wanted it to. The club had different opinions in how they wanted to play me, I wasn’t really happy about that. This year hasn't been my best year either, because we haven’t won any titles, and I lost the World Cup as well – to not qualify for the World Cup is really disappointing. And for myself I think I haven't reached my best this year. I will have to analyse and come back stronger. Every footballer has highs and lows, and you cannot be at your best every year.
Who is in the photos? Where were the photos taken?
The photos are of all my teammates or my girlfriend Alisha. It was in and around the training ground most of the time, and a little during my off time before training. It was really exciting because it was during the weeks before we played Lyon.
What did you try to show with the photos? Was there any wider meaning with any of the photos?
I wanted to be as realistic as possible, to show what we are doing behind the scenes before we go on the pitch or after the game.
Are there any good stories connected with the people you photographed?
Most of these people are my friends. They are not just my teammates, they are also my friends. You can tell when you see the photos. My girlfriend is in them as well, because I wanted to show a little bit of my private life as well, what I am doing with my off time.
What are the biggest changes happening at the moment in women's football?
I think there’s a lot of attention coming up for the World Cup, so the media is probably the biggest change. There is so much interest, which I think is really good. On social media the fans are growing for everyone, because people are getting interested for just in our football life, but our private life.
What does football mean to you? Do you have a message for the next generation of young female footballers
Football means everything to me. I’ve done it my whole life; I’ve invested so much time and work in it, just trying to be the best version of myself every day. For the younger generation, I would say enjoy it. If football is really what you want to do, then really work hard for it because it's going to be worth it. But never lose the happiness, never lose the joy of the game, always enjoy what you’re doing.
How have you felt when competing in the UEFA Women's Champions League?
Obviously the UEFA Women's Champions League the biggest title that everyone wants to win. Definitely for me because it’s the title I haven't won yet, which I think is realistic to win. It's always very special when you are playing a Champions League game; it’s a different level. You are playing against the best and competing against the best, so you obviously want to perform as well as you can.
