Alisha Lehmann has lifted the lid on the brutal misconception that nearly forced her to walk away from football, admitting she once begged her family to let her quit the game she loves.
Often dubbed the ‘world’s sexiest footballer’, the Swiss star has built a global following that stretches far beyond the pitch.
But behind the glamour, the Leicester City forward says a damaging narrative has followed her for years: that she isn’t a serious footballer at all.
With more than 27 million followers across social media, Lehmann’s profile has exploded in recent seasons, bringing attention to women’s football but also intense scrutiny.
And it was that scrutiny that almost broke her.
‘When I was younger it affected me more because I didn’t know how to handle the situation,’ she said.
Alisha Lehmann has revealed online criticism nearly forced her to quit football despite her deep love for the sport
The Switzerland international says people wrongly believe she prioritises social media over her professional football career
The Leicester City star insists her daily routine is built around rest, recovery and improving her on-field performance
‘There were moments where I was really sad and I used to ask my mum if I could not play football anymore.’
The 26-year-old revealed the constant criticism centred around a false belief that her life revolved around social media rather than football.
‘People don’t know how much effort I actually put in when they say ‘Oh, she’s not a footballer’,’ she said.
‘They just think, oh she goes to training and then goes home and does TikToks or whatever. But that is really not true.’
Lehmann insists her lifestyle is built entirely around performance, with strict routines designed to maximise her output on the pitch.
‘I rest so well, I sleep every afternoon and I would never do anything before training or a game that would affect how I play. I care so much about it.’
Now back in England with Leicester City Women, Lehmann says she has learned to block out the noise, even if the criticism still lingers.
‘But now, I’m fine. I love my life and the people around me and I don’t get affected by it,’ she said.
Critics claim she focuses too much on TikTok videos and glamour, but Lehmann says that perception is completely false and unfair
With over 27 million followers, her global fame has brought both attention and intense scrutiny throughout her career
‘It’s just an opinion, as is everything in life, so I just focus on myself.’
Despite the off-field attention, those within the game have consistently backed her professionalism, with coaches praising her relentless work ethic and leadership around the squad.
Lehmann’s journey has taken her from the Women’s Super League to Italy and back again, with spells at West Ham, Everton and Aston Villa before stints with Juventus and Como.
Her return to England earlier this year was seen as a fresh start, but also reignited debate around her image.
While many celebrate her ability to bring new audiences to the women’s game, others continue to question her focus, a claim she firmly rejects.
‘If I’ve not done my best when I check my data after training, I will do extra rounds to try to improve,’ she said.
‘People can think what they want but everything I do is focused on being the best player I can be.’
