Ambassador Lotta Schelin on encouraging girls to play football with UEFA Playmakers

Lotta Schelin retired from football in 2018 after an illustrious career during which she became Sweden's all-time record scorer with 88 goals in 185 appearances. She also spent eight seasons at Lyon, winning the UEFA Women's Champions League three times.

It may have been six years since she hung up her boots but Schelin has remained involved in football, and earlier this year became the UEFA Playmakers programme's first-ever ambassador.

Aimed at girls aged five to eight, UEFA Playmakers combines football activities with the magic of Disney storytelling, teaching the basics of the sport in a fun and safe environment.

Now adopted by 46 of UEFA's 55 national associations, Playmakers has offered over 111,000 girls an accessible way to enjoy the game, with 96% of participants reporting an overwhelming enjoyment of the initiative.

Here, Schelin speaks about her path into football, her involvement with UEFA Playmakers and the growth of the women's game.

Did you have any role models in women's football while growing up?

I looked up to my older sister, who also played football. I only had a few other female idols, like Tina Nordlund, but I had my sister and my passion, and that was enough.

I started playing football when I was six, with my sister's team, who were two or three years older than me. It was really my passion for football that made me want to be a professional player. Some told me that was impossible, but my passion was always bigger than anything else.

Lotta Schelin in action for Sweden at UEFA Women's EURO 2017Getty Images

Would you have enjoyed UEFA Playmakers when you were younger?

I would have loved it. I love the combination of Disney movies and football. For girls who are unsure if they love football, at least they will know the Disney movies and know it's an exciting programme to be involved in.

Playmakers is about having fun, finding some friends and letting children enjoy football, which I think is great.

What can programmes like UEFA Playmakers teach children?

Football is an education in how to work together as a team and help everyone – it teaches children how to be a good human being and friend. I love that part.

I don't believe in making football too serious too soon. Take my son, for example. I just want him to experience what it feels like playing in a team with his friends.

UEFA via Getty Images

How important is it to give something back to the game and be a force for good in women's football?

Female players are very passionate about developing our game. Efforts from the players before me allowed me to be a professional, and now I have tried to push the game forward for the players coming after me. I try to do whatever I can to make a difference and give back.

It started when I was a girl, when I sometimes heard that I shouldn't be playing football. I love that about the women's game – we are conscious about making a difference for more people than just ourselves. Hopefully it continues like that.

How bright is the future of women's football?

I think it's really bright. We have so much potential going forward and can do so much in the women's game. I'm really happy that everyone is starting to see that now.

In Europe, we are really pushing for equality. But imagine if every country worldwide starts to develop women's football. It could be huge.

There's so much to be done, both at the elite and grassroots levels. We have to make sure that all girls and women can play football if they want to. We must continue pushing for that, as we're still not there.

Learn more about UEFA Playmakers and how UEFA is developing women's football.