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How Rosella Ayane Turned Rejection Into Football History

July 14, 2025

How Rosella Ayane Turned Rejection Into Football History

July 14, 2025

PUMA’s athlete and Morocco football star Rosella Ayane joins the Go Wild Podcast to talk about identity, pressure, and staying true to yourself.

From scoring the historic penalty that sent Morocco to their first Women’s World Cup, to walking Paris Fashion Week and facing rejection early in her career, Rosella shares what it means to thrive in the unknown. With grace, humor, and a deep sense of purpose, she reveals why being a role model isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being real.

In this episode of the Go Wild Podcast, Colin Jackson sits down with Tottenham Hotspur forward Rosella Ayane to explore the power of owning your story. Born in the UK and once a Lioness, Rosella made the bold decision to represent Morocco, becoming a trailblazer for women’s sport in the Middle East. On and off the pitch, she’s a fearless force: championing mental health, breaking boundaries, and inspiring others to lead with authenticity.

Rosella spent years coming up through the English youth system – but when the call came (for the second time) to represent her father’s homeland, something clicked.

“There was something inside of me that connected me with my dad and Morocco… It was a scary choice to make because it was very unknown… but there was just something in my gut that was telling me, yes, do this.”

 

Her journey hasn’t been a straight shot to the top. She faced a major turning point early on when she was released from Chelsea – a crushing moment that nearly made her give up football altogether.

“When you feel that sense of you’re not good enough, your whole world kind of crumbles… I was loving life… but that all came crashing down when I got released… At that age, I was just like, I don’t want to do this anymore.”

 

Rosella doesn’t just play football – she understands the platform that comes with it, especially in women’s sport. For her, being a role model isn’t just a byproduct of visibility – it’s a responsibility.

“In women’s football, we take that very personally – that we are role models. It carries a lot of weight because we’re trying to leave the game in a better place for the players who are coming up.”

 

The striker isn’t afraid to speak out about the ways women in sport are still judged differently, especially in football. Her message is clear: let us play, let us be, and treat us like athletes.

“We’re doing the same thing as what the men are doing… We’re doing the same entertainment value. What you take it for is up to you. If you have something negative to say, just keep it to yourself. Please. Because we don’t actually care.”

Want to get to know Rosella’s wild side?
👀 Watch the full episode now!

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