Laura Bulleux is undoubtedly one of the greatest players in the history of women's football. During her long and successful career, she won numerous trophies, represented France at five World Championships and the Olympic Games and became a true idol for millions of fans around the world.
In an exclusive interview, Laura talks openly about the most memorable moments of her football career – from victories in major international tournaments to difficult periods of injuries and failure.
Laura Bulleux was born on October 6, 1988 in the small town of La Seine-sur-Mer in the south of France. From an early age, she was passionate about football and spent hours playing ball in the yard with her brothers.
“I always knew I wanted to be a professional footballer,” Laura recalls. “When my friends were playing with dolls, I would run around the yard practicing with the ball. Football has been my passion since the beginning.”
Even though at that time women's football in France was not as developed as it is today, Laura, determined, pursued her dream with perseverance. She began training at a local football academy and then joined the youth team of the Olympique de Marseille club.
“It was a real adventure. I was one of the few girls training with the boys, but I loved it. I showed that I could play as well as them, and sometimes even better!”
Laura's brilliant performances in the youth teams did not go unnoticed and in 2006, at the age of 18, she signed her first professional contract with the Juvisie club. Her debut in adult football was more than successful – in her first season, Laura helped the team win the Coupe de France.
“I was over the moon! It was an incredible moment when I lifted the trophy above my head for the first time. I realized that my dreams were coming true and that I could now achieve even greater success.”
Laura's brilliant play caught the attention of the French national team coaches, and in 2007 she made her national team debut in a friendly match against Norway.
“Putting on the France jersey was a huge honour for me. I remember being nervous before the first match, but as soon as I stepped on the pitch, all the anxiety disappeared. I was focused on doing my best work and helping the team win.”
Laura's brilliant performances for both club and national team quickly made her a global star. In 2011, she became captain of the French national team and led the team to their first ever World Cup.
“It was an incredible responsibility to be the captain of the team. But I felt I was ready for the role. I knew I had to lead and set an example for the whole team.”
At the World Championships in Germany, Laura was one of the key players of the French team. She acted confidently in defense, organized the team's game and scored important goals. As a result, France reached the quarterfinals of the tournament, which was a huge success.
"Reaching the quarter-finals was a big achievement, but we wanted more. We thought we could compete for medals, but unfortunately we lacked experience and skills at the decisive moment."
After the World Cup, Laura continued to progress and became an increasingly important player for the French team. She was a key member of the Tricolor at the London Olympics in 2012, where French players won bronze medals for the first time.
“The Olympic Games are the dream of every athlete. For me it was a special tournament, because it was in London that I won a medal for the first time in the national team. Even if it was bronze, for us it was the dream. like gold.
Laura's successful performances at the World Championships and the Olympic Games have earned her recognition at the international level. In 2013, she was recognized as the best female footballer in France, and in 2014, she was included in the FIFA Team of the Year.
But alongside the brilliant victories in Laura's career, there have also been difficult periods. In 2015, she suffered a serious knee injury that almost ended her career.
“It was a very difficult time. I spent almost a year in rehab and it was not at all clear whether I would be able to return to my previous level. I fell into a deep depression and wondered if all this effort was worth it.”
But Laura did not give up and worked hard to recover. And in 2016, she returned to the field to help the French team at the European Championships. However, there, the team was disappointed: it was eliminated in the quarterfinals.
"It was a terrible feeling. We really hoped to succeed in this Euro, but something went wrong and we could not live up to the expectations of the fans. It was one of the most difficult moments of my career."
But Laura didn't give up and kept fighting. In 2019, she finally won her first major trophy with the French team, becoming world champion.
“Winning the World Championship is something I have dreamed of since I was a child. When I lifted the Champions Cup above my head, it was the happiest moment of my career. All those years of hard work, injuries and disappointments have finally paid off in spades.”
After her 2019 World Cup triumph, Laura continued to play for the French national team for another 4 years, reaching a record 150 matches. She helped the team win silver medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and become European champions in 2021.
In the summer of 2023, at the age of 34, Laura Bulleux decided to end her brilliant career. She played her last match for France against England, which was her 150th match for the national team.
“It was a very emotional moment. I knew it was my last game and I wanted to say goodbye to the fans and my teammates with dignity. When I scored the goal and heard the applause in the stands, I could barely hold back my tears. It was the perfect end to my career.”
After finishing her career, Laura Bulle received many prestigious awards and distinctions. She was inducted into the French Football Hall of Fame, as well as into the symbolic teams of UEFA and FIFA.
Looking back, Laura Bulleux speaks with pride about her career:
“I have always strived to be the best and do my best. And I am happy that I was able to achieve my dreams and become one of the best players in the history of women's football. I have left my mark on this sport, and that gives me great satisfaction.”
Laura Bouleux is currently involved in the development of women's football in France, working as a television pundit and participating in various projects. Her contribution to the popularization of the sport can hardly be overestimated and she is rightly considered one of the most outstanding football players of her generation.
