'Thought I’d be up front with Robin van Persie' - Man City star Vivianne Miedema admits to targeting career in men's football when professional women's game 'wasn't a thing'

As a starry-eyed youngster, the prolific Dutch forward never imagined that the day would come when she could strut her stuff at the very highest level and get paid for the pleasure. In order to achieve that, teenage Miedema believed that she would have to prove her worth alongside the men.

She did just that at youth level, as doubters were silenced in spectacular style, and has told Life After Football of childhood ambition that saw her targeting a spot alongside a former Arsenal and Manchester United star in Rotterdam: “Playing professionally with other girls wasn’t a thing back then. I thought I’d be up front with Robin van Persie at Feyenoord one day. I remember a game where the opposing team said: 'They have a girl, this should be fun.' We won that match 11-0, I scored six goals and provided five assists. Who’s laughing now?”

Miedema went on to make her professional debut for Heerenveen at 15 years of age, before taking in memorable stints at Bayern Munich and Arsenal. She is the Netherlands’ all-time leading scorer, boasts the most goals ever scored in the WSL, won the Golden Boot at the 2021 Olympic Games and has three Ballon d’Or Feminin nominations.

Miedema does, however, consider records to be little more than “nice to have”, adding on her exploits: “Records are there just for others to break. Ultimately, I play for the team’s results and to keep growing myself, both on and off the field.”

At 28 years of age, and following seven seasons in north London with Arsenal, Miedema is now on the books of Manchester City. They boast big ambition and will face Paris FC in the second round of Champions League qualification before opening their quest for WSL title glory away at Arsenal on September 22.