Yes, OK, I laugh when I hear my husband and teenagers screaming at goals and misses. But there’s no chemistry between me and soccer. The other evening, I stumbled across the match between Switzerland and Finland while my husband left the room to read his book in bed.
I’ve been sitting in front of this screen!
To watch, because I perceived something more… Through the screen, I could feel solidarity in action, I could see intention, vision and also mastery in effort, accuracy in reaction. And they won the match, giving them access to the top step for the first time.
I saw their joy and the pleasure of their efforts rewarded. And I was surprised to be happy for them, especially when I discovered that they had reached the top step of the quarter-finals for the first time.
So I didn’t want to miss the quarter-final against Spain.
My husband told me that they were going to get goals in the face, like the other teams before them (Belgium, Portugal, etc.)… I suggested that he stay anyway, explaining that I found this soccer very different from that of the men…. I knew I was going to look beyond soccer. The attitude of the coach, the audacity of the young players, the calmness of the veterans in taking risks and setting an example, the will to defend their position.
OK, maybe it was my feminine leadership coaching filters that were playing tricks on me.
In any case, I was very, very proud of what I saw for myself and for all the women. I saw leadership in motion, far beyond the score. The joy of the Spanish players touched me too. The Swiss women could be proud of their performance too. The commentator’s authenticity in describing the Spanish joy.
I didn’t know the history of the Spanish team, except for the forced kiss after the World Cup victory. The commentator’s hints whetted my curiosity.
And as I dug deeper, I discovered that Spanish players are the ones who
– in 2015, collectively demanded the resignation of their coach Ignacio Quereda, in post for 27 years, denouncing outdated methods, favoritism and a profound lack of respect. A man many considered untouchable, despite his notorious incompetence.
– in 2022, refused to be selected as long as Jorge Vilda, his equally contested successor, remained in post. They criticized the authoritarian, infantilizing management style and the constant climate of fear. Fifteen players took a strong stand: to say no, en bloc, to the system.
– in 2023, publicly supported Jenni Hermoso after the kiss imposed by Federation President Luis Rubiales in the middle of the official ceremony. Despite the pressure, they stood firm. As a result, Rubiales was forced to resign and the coach was dismissed.
It’s not just a series of scandals. It’s a revolution led by women who have learned to make themselves respected where everyone else was urging them to keep quiet.
What I see here are skills that are too often underestimated:
- A clear vision of what needs to be
- true collaboration, where we build together without stepping aside,
- the ability to act in a system without getting lost in it,
- challenging oneself in the service of a collective goal,
- and the quiet courage to say no, without fuss, but without compromise.
I see this kind of leadership in so many of the women I work with. And it deserves to be recognized for what it is: lucid, strategic, deeply ethical. What I’ve seen in these matches is much more than the game of soccer. It’s an invitation to reconsider the way we exert our influence.
And know this…
Spain doesn’t just shine on the pitch: it’s also 10ᵉ on the Global Gender Gap (WEF), 4ᵉ on gender equality (EIGE), and 2ᵉ on the Glass Ceiling Index (The Economist). Well ahead of Switzerland or Belgium. Consistency between
What women demand in soccer, and what their country is structurally building.
| Index | Spain | France | Belgium | Switzerland |
| Global Gender Gap (WEF) | 0.797 – 10ᵉ place | 0,781 – 22ᵉ | ≈ 0,793 – 14ᵉ | outside the top 10 |
| Gender Equality Index (EU) | 76.4/100 – 4ᵉ place | — | — | — |
| Glass-Ceiling Index (OECD) | 2ᵉ in Europe (2025) | 1ᵉʳ | ≈ 3ᵉ | among the worst |
Well, are you ready to follow their example?
