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Vivianne Miedema, wearing the iconic number 11 jersey, stands as the striking force for Arsenal Women FC. Her journey began in 2011 when she embarked on her career with SC Heerenveen.
During her three-year stint at SC Heerenveen, Vivianne Miedema showcased her prowess, appearing in 69 matches and amassing an impressive tally of 78 goals.
In 2014, she made a move to FC Bayern Munich Women. Over the course of three years there, the blonde-haired dynamo netted 35 goals in 61 matches, contributing to two league championship victories.
Rise to Prominence with Arsenal
In 2017, Miedema’s journey led her to Arsenal Women FC. In the previous year, 2019, she played a pivotal role in securing the FA WSL title for her team, marking Arsenal Women FC’s third championship trophy.
On the international stage, Vivianne Miedema clinched the UEFA Women’s Euro 2017 with her national team, the Netherlands. Since donning the national jersey in 2013, she has represented her country 87 times and amassed an impressive collection of 69 goals.
Born into a Footballing Family
Hailing from Hoogeveen, Netherlands, Miedema was raised alongside her younger brother, Lars, by their parents. Both her father and grandfather had footballing backgrounds, with Lars currently playing for Velez in Spain’s Segunda División.
The passion for football ran deep in her blood. Miedema had been playing football since the age of five. She mentioned, “When I was young, I admired Robin van Persie and Dirk Kuyt. I didn’t know what was out there for women’s football.”
Early Career and Struggles
At the age of 14, Miedema embarked on a remarkable journey to sign her first professional contract. Despite her youth, Heerenveen offered her a professional deal, necessitating her parents’ signatures.
Her home debut marked her as the youngest player in the league. As a substitute, she scored two goals in a triumphant 2-1 victory.
Looking back on her early days, Miedema reflected, “In the early days of my career, I had a few years and seasons where I couldn’t really enjoy football. I would tell my 14-year-old self at that time to enjoy it more.”
A Prolific Striker
Vivianne Miedema is a striker known for her versatility and goal-scoring prowess. Her complete attributes as a striker are evident in the statistics provided by fbref. This explains her consistent top scorer performance in the WSL for four seasons.
Despite her numerous achievements, Miedema remains grounded and focused on her career. She recently expressed her goals of winning the UEFA Women’s Champions League and international honors with the Dutch national team.
Despite her regular appearances in headlines for goal-scoring feats and individual accolades, Miedema shies away from the spotlight. Her goal celebrations have always been understated, a trait she carried from her childhood.
Over the course of a decade in professional football, she has amassed over 300 goals in her career. However, Miedema remains humble, acknowledging that she’ll appreciate it all after her career ends.
In her words, “Teammates laugh at me because they know I feel very awkward on the field (receiving Player of the Year awards). Something like this always comes as a surprise, and I’m a bit overwhelmed.”
Vivianne Miedema stands as an inspiring figure in women’s football, showcasing extraordinary talent and humility. With her impressive career trajectory, there’s no doubt that her contributions to the sport will continue to captivate fans and set new records.
