Back from the United States after six months spent at OL Reign, an Olympique Lyonnais franchise, Eugenie Le Sommer looks back on her experience in Seattle and analyzes American football. Interview.
You came back from the United States a few days ago. What is your assessment of this six-month experience abroad? Eugenie Le Sommer: It brought me so many things that I find it difficult to list them. The experience was sporting enriching. In the field, I learned a lot of things. But also in the locker room and even in American life and culture. I felt like I was in an environment where you learn new things every day. The watchword is really enriching.
Have you had this ambition in your sights for a long time?
Since I arrived in Lyon, I thought about it. It was in the back of my mind even though I didn’t know how, when, or where. By rubbing shoulders with foreigners in Lyon or elsewhere, I could see that it brought them a lot to have an experience abroad. I had never found the right time. It must be said that in Lyon, I am in the best club in Europe. I win titles and I play a lot. I had no reason to leave.
But there, I had the feeling that I had reached a turning point in my career. I told myself it was now or never.
OL Reign was an easier bridge and, at the same time, it allowed me to stay in the Lyon house. Because, of course, I am attached to it. In the United States, I had five years of football experience in six months. It was a leap into the unknown, a new challenge.
The United States is often referred to as the El Dorado for sportswomen. Do you wear that same look?
For me, the ultimate dream is to win everything: the Euro and the World Cup in particular. America was more of a life experience. I didn’t dream about it every day. I had been there on vacation before, but living there for six months is something else. We often talk about El Dorado in relation to the NBA. But in football, when you win the Champions League, it is as valuable as if you win the American championship, if not more. What I liked is that the championship is professional and that generates a lot of things in terms of media and infrastructure. El Dorado for me would be a mix between the top of the United States and the top of Europe.
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