90min
·31 July 2023
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Yahoo sports90min
·31 July 2023
90min's Make Your Mark series gets to the heart of what made footballers the players they are today.
Be it a family member, a coach, a team or a personality trait, someone or something down the line has been particularly key in a player's journey into professional football.
90min sat down with France international and Aston Villa star Kenza Dali to discuss the five things that made here the player she is today before the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup:
"I chose Coupe du Monde as this is a World Cup year. I think a World Cup represents a lot for any player, everyone has a story with the blue jersey [France] in the biggest competitions.
"I missed the one in 2019, but I have another opportunity to play in one this year and that's just amazing."
"I chose the word 'creativity' because it's my definition of football. I'm a midfielder so that's what I'm being asked to bring to the game, and that's what I've always liked in football. It's the freedom to create things.
"That's what brings me the most joy on a pitch."
"I chose Ronaldinho because he's the player that pushed me to start playing football. He used to play for PSG back when I was a fan of the club, and when he signed he he brought this joy of life with him. His football was full of creativity and happiness.
"He's still my favourite player. I always watch some clip of Ronaldinho on YouTube. He was my number on inspiration."
"I chose the word 'Lyon' because it's the place where everything started. It's my city and it's my very first club.
"Lyon is the start of everything and it's still a part of my life as my family still lives there. It's still the club I follow and they will always remain in my heart."
"I chose 'England' because it's where I've been playing for four years. [Moving to England] Was a big decision for me because I am deeply involved in family life and to leave everything, my habits, my daily routine, to go to a country where I didn't really speak the language. Now it's my home.