‘I don’t live like a star!’ - Alisha Lehmann plays down celebrity status & reveals ‘career goal’ after moving to Juventus alongside boyfriend Douglas Luiz

The Switzerland international has become one of the most prominent figures in the women’s game. That is due in part to her ability on the field, but also the strong social media following that she has built up off it – with the 25-year-old boasting 17 million followers on Instagram and 11m on TikTok.

Despite her fame, Lehmann – who moved to Italy alongside boyfriend Douglas Luiz in the summer of 2024 when both bid farewell to Aston Villa – has told Gazzetta dello Sport of keeping her feet on the ground: “I don’t live like a star but like everyone else. When people see you on social media, they think you live differently, but that’s not true. My life is ordinary. I go home, and I cook. The same as everyone else. Then it’s nice when you walk around the streets and people greet you with: ‘Ciao Alisha, how are you?’

“I’ve used social media to promote English football, and now I want to help women’s football in Italy. Juventus’ communication is efficient through the Creator Lab. I’ve never found a club that communicates in such a funny way. I am a footballer, and I do my best on the pitch. The time I spend on social media is nothing compared to my work on the pitch. Football is all my life. The team is like a second family, and I am ready to learn from my team-mates. I like talking to people with more experience than me because you can always learn something. Perhaps social media will push people to follow women’s football more. It’s a developing process that takes time.”

Lehmann has already been among the goals at Juve, opening her Serie A account in a 6-3 win over Sassuolo, and her sights are locked on landing major silverware. She added on her ambition for the present and future: “I’m very happy to be here. The girls are nice, and we help each other on the pitch; I think I’ve made the best decision. Juventus is a great club. If you join them, you can win. My career goal is also to win trophies.”

Lehmann has settled quickly into a new way of life and will be hoping to make a positive impact on and off the field in Turin. She also has plenty to look forward to at international level, with Switzerland preparing to play host to Euro 2025 next summer.