Theresa Panfil (1. FFC Frankfurt) spoke to us about her tough time of rehab due to two ACL injuries. The midfielder openend up as never before and shared her inner thoughts and feelings with us. On top of that she left a little advice for every ambitious girl out there.

“My first sub after three years of blood, sweat and tears was my fondest moment. It was such a relief to put on my jersey, lace up my boots, step on the pitch and do what I love most. All the hard work paid off for that moment, cause I proved every doubter wrong. Football is my passion, and my life. I will always fight for it.

Unforgettable experiences left their mark on me. These moments helped me through every doubt and fear. According to the doctors my chance of being a professional footballer again was tiny but giving up has never been an option. It was a rough time and I really struggled at some point but I knew that I could come back. It was up to me, giving up or fighting for a little bit longer to finally get back. My parents and closest friends gave me all the support I needed to fulfill my dream. Here I am, back on the pitch with the biggest smile on my face.

There isn’t something like a recipe to overcome a major injury but I think most important is patience and trust in your own body. I struggled to give my body the time it needed to recover fully. I rushed it over and over again to just experience set back after set back. Try to do everything possible but never put yourself under too much pressure. On top of that you should always take care of your emotional wellbeing. A happy mind can help healing wounds.

I want to establish myself on the football field again to find my way back into the team. I want to get back the feeling for the ball and gain back the confidence I had before the injury. They seem like small goals but for me they are important steps on the way to my first Bundesliga match, which is the ultimate goal.

Lionel Messi is my idol. His skills are phenomenal. The ball pretty much sticks to his feet. He dribbles and beats players in a pace that is almost unstoppable. He has the talent to set up his teammates in the perfect moment.

My biggest success is winning the u20 world cup in 2014. It was a breathtaking moment I will always remember. I’m grateful and proud I got the chance to represent my country in this age group. We traveled to Canada with the irrepressible desire to win the world cup but the fact it worked out is just insane. I will always have a big smile on my face when thinking about it.

Many players are talented, but only the ones that constantly work hard and are willing to improve every day will become great players. It’s all about mentality and ambition. My advice for a young athlete is to enjoy every moment, as it could possibly be the last time you get to enjoy it. Deal with set backs and try to get the best out of it. Never let self-pity control your mind and influence your performance. Make a plan and work your butt off.”