"People identify with sportspeople, and even more so with football players, since it is the most-watched sport in the world. So it is important to convey a positive message, because a lot of people look up to us."

"I would say to never give up, that the path might be very complicated at times, but it’s all worth it. Most importantly, you need to be passionate and keep that passion no matter what."

"I think nowadays it’s essential to be present on social media, to promote women’s football and show the positive aspects of it."

"But football was never my main goal as a kid, it was simply a joy, also because back then there weren’t many chances to make a living out of football as a woman."

"I’d like for women to be judged on their skills and competence, not on their physique."

"Sometimes it’s very complicated to repeat efforts or face disappointments, but to be able to get through it or bounce back shows strength."

"But there are no strict rules, we just get advice from the community managers who tell us to be careful, because social networks are great but they can also be dangerous."

"I think if more women and athletes are vocal about equality and their rights, whether it’s in the business world or sports, having those kinds of strong characters can only lead to a better future. We need to speak up and demand more!"

"Since I was the only girl in the team when I was a kid, it built my character. I was accepted in my team, but not always by the opposing team."

"Everything is going well on the field side, yes. This is also the message I want to get across: football must continue, we must not prevent ourselves from living because of malicious or unhealthy people."

"I've seen several cry in the locker room and I understand them. As a professional footballer and as a woman in general, we shouldn't feel that our life is in danger."

"Despondency then gave way to anger, and today they are in the process of taking a stand. They want to be respected, no longer feel in danger, and make their contribution to building a healthier women's football."

"I also think we can help each other between countries. We don’t necessarily have the same problems, but then maybe we can help countries where it’s more difficult to talk. And that’s what’s important to me: that we’re all together and, ultimately, we have the same objective."

"It’s like that in life in general: everything in moderation. You mustn’t go over the top."

"And something else that may seem a small detail, but has made a big difference, is that we now have jerseys and shorts that are designed for us and are not tailored specifically for men. For me this has been a revolution, as has having our names on the back of our jerseys."

"I had to take a step down to get back onto the road that’s taken me to where I am today. Never giving up is something that is part of who I am."

"I was also very shy as a kid, but being part of a team made me socialize with other kids and open up as a person. I believe that I wouldn’t be the same person if it wasn’t for football."

"We should wear what we want, and what makes us happy, and not limit ourselves with what is or isn’t trendy."

"I was one of the most experienced players in our league and with the role I had in the changing room, I wanted to be able to change things, to be able to help develop women’s football."

"You have to be careful not to be too opinionated."

"It’s important for us to be able to give our opinion and that it comes from the field of play, directly from women’s players."

"In my opinion, one of the major things that’s so attractive about women’s football, especially for the fans, is how approachable we are. We always take time at the end of the games to take pictures with the fans, sign autographs and chat with them."

"I’m not someone who replies to people individually. The way I see it, if I reply to one person, I would have to reply to everyone and I just don’t have the time for that."

"I’d like it if we stopped talking about men’s football versus women’s football, and just stick to football. I don’t really like to use the words women’s football myself."

"It was a challenge every weekend but it allowed me to become stronger mentally, physically, and I believe it allowed me to quickly improve because I had to find ways to try to be better than the boys."

"Sexist comments, every player has heard them at some point in their career."

"I hope that women's football will become global as there are no longer any taboos surrounding it. The stereotype that "boys should play football and girls do gymnastics" is in the past. Now the norms have changed, and anything is possible."

"I’m the captain, if I don’t speak, who will speak?"

"It’s always good to think things through and not react in the heat of the moment."

"I know I’m taking a risk, but if I don’t take it, who is going to take it?"

"As captain, it is important to wear the armband. But when it is necessary to speak up and put your fist on the table, you have to do it also."

"18-year-old jewel of Monaco"

"New rossonero talent"

"Despite the incredible impact that Zlatan Ibrahimovic has had since arriving in France, it is impossible to look past Olivier Giroud's role in Montpellier's completely unexpected title win."

"It was a good finish, he is a good finisher Olivier, but at the moment I believe he is looking for confidence and that goal will help him. I expect him to take that into the Premier League."

"I have the weapons to do well here. I will need some time to adapt of course, but I am not worried about that. I think I will adapt well. I am a player who likes to play, who likes to participate in the game. That is why I think the way Arsenal play will suit me. I like scoring goals and Arsenal create a lot of chances, so if I do well, then we will do well."

"I had a look at the keeper and I was thinking that he was a bit too much forward from his line. I tried instinctively to shoot and to hit the target. I was a bit lucky but that's what I wanted to do."

"Football gives the African people hope, a true motivation for their life."

"What is unbelievable is that I am in a position where people reproach me for making a profit. The people who lose money – nobody says a word. Reproach the people who lose money. I do business by managing in a safe way in a healthy way and on top of that you reproach me for making money. It looks like we are in a business where the quality is to lose money."

"If I go into a season and I say, ‘For fuck’s sake, if we don’t win anything, they will all leave,’ I have already lost. The problem of the media is always to imagine the worst. The problem of the manager is always to imagine the best."

"I liked the pitch, I liked the referee, I did not like Paul Scholes' tackles."

"If I give you a good wine, you will see how it tastes and after you ask where it comes from."

"I'm ready to take the blame for all the problems of English football if that is what he wants."

"Gérard [Houllier's] thoughts on the matter echo mine. He thinks that what the national coaches are doing is like taking the car from his garage without even asking permission. They will then use the car for ten days and abandon it in a field without any petrol left in the tank. We then have to recover it, but it is broken down. Then a month later they will come to take your car again, and for good measure you're expected to be nice about it."