Vivianne Miedema: A goal-scoring machine who fights for equality

The Dutch province of Drenthe forms the humble backdrop of Miedema’s childhood. Together, we took a look back at a time when the ball was already a central part of her life. “It wasn’t until I started playing in district teams that I realized there was more than just Hoogeveen,” she chuckles.

Vivianne explains how women’s football wasn’t even considered an option during her childhood. “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.” Not that she lagged behind her teammates in boys’ teams. “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 6 goals and provided 5 assists. Who’s laughing now?”

Exactly: Miedema. The goal machine debuted at just 15 years old at the Dutch professional side sc Heerenveen, where she quickly made waves with an average of 1.6 goals per game. After three successful years at sc Heerenveen, she had three victorious seasons at Bayern Munich, followed by 173 appearances for Arsenal up until last season. She’s also been the striking force for the Netherlands for the past 10 years, donning the bright orange jersey.

Statistics of a Star

Now, two decades later, Miedema is rightly considered one of the best players in the world. Her leading statistics speak for themselves: all-time top scorer for the Dutch national team, all-time top scorer in the WSL, top scorer of the 2021 Olympics, winner of two Golden Boot awards, and three Ballon d’Or nominations. It’s clear that Vivianne has made her mark on the football world.

However, the Hoogeveen native views her individual awards and records as little more than “nice to have.” “Records are there just for others to break,” she says. “Ultimately, I play for the team’s results and to keep growing myself, both on and off the field.”

The Responsible Star

Miedema doesn’t need to score or assist to make an impact. Both on and off the pitch, she works hard to create opportunities for others, something that has been ingrained in her from a young age. Her greatest inspiration? Nelson Mandela. “I’ve always been intrigued by him, purely because he stood up for people who weren’t as fortunate as others.” She now translates that mindset into actions in her own life, such as her ambassadorship with War Child.

Vivianne shares her vision of the current state of affairs in the sport. “Ultimately, women’s football is a beautiful, yet complex world. It has already undergone a tremendous evolution, but there are still major steps to be taken. It’s now up to us to leave women’s football in a better place for the next generation.”

She understands that her mission won’t be accomplished overnight. “Sometimes it’s hard to use your voice, especially when it’s about something that might not be so popular with the outside world. But when I believe something is best for the young girls who will be the future, I always stand firm.” The words of a natural leader, we conclude together.

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