5 Minutes with Tessa Wullaert | La Michaux #9
5 Minutes with Tessa Wullaert | La Michaux #9
Tessa Wullaert is not only Belgium’s top female footballer, she’s a powerhouse of talent, leadership, and heart.
Captain of the Belgian national team, Adidas athlete, and Special Olympics ambassador, Tessa has played for world-class clubs like Manchester City and now leads the attack for Anderlecht. Off the pitch, she’s known for her grounded personality, strong voice on gender equality in sports, and love for La Michaux.
In this edition of 5 Minutes with La Michaux, we talk about drive, girl power, career moves, PlayStation skills, and the beauty of coming home.
Hi Tessa,
Thank you for joining us! How are you doing, and how does it feel being back in Belgium after being abroad?
Hey,
I’m fine, thank you, and yes, super happy. I was abroad for 5 years, living on my own so being able to see my family so much more and living together with my boyfriend now (who I had to miss a lot) is super nice. Also, I missed the Belgian fries. 😊
Where did your passion for football begin, and what do you love most about what you do today?
I started when I was 5 and back then women’s soccer in Belgium was much more unknown then it is now. So for my dad, my decision was a bit weird, but luckily my parents always let me do what I enjoy(ed) the most and so I never stopped playing.
I love that you are part of a team, so when you win you can only do it together and when you lose you can’t blame only yourself because you lose as a team and that’s also how you grow as a team and individually. The best titles I’ve won so far were also group titles such as winning a league for example.
I love that you are part of a team, so when you win you can only do it together and when you lose you can’t blame only yourself because you lose as a team and that’s also how you grow as a team and individually. - Tessa
If football hadn't worked out, is there another path you could've seen yourself taking?
Good question, I don’t really know. I only know I’ve played tennis too when I was younger and I was quite good at it. But an individual sport was maybe not the right thing for me, since I’m super critical on myself, even after a game. I will barely say I did a good or perfect game, because there are always things to improve in my vision, but I am a happy person when we won the game ( I HATE losing 😊).
And that kind of mentality is with no doubt the reason that you’re at the level that you are. Seeking perfection is dangerous, because it doesn’t really exist but... it does keep you on top of your game.
What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as a woman in professional football?
Well, of course, there’s the equal pay discussion, but next to that we don’t often get treated the same way as men do, but it’s slowly getting better. Fe in the national team we have the same cook as the men’s team has now, which is great. But often women’s teams don’t share the same pitch or stadium as the men do, or can only use their facilities when the men are not there. Women’s football is rising, but there are still a lot of things to do. I’m a strong believer of GRLPWR (girl power) and that’s why I (sometimes) use my voice to bring such things into the media to create awareness amongst people so they know what’s happening.
I’m a strong believer of GRLPWR (girl power) and that’s why I (sometimes) use my voice to bring such things into the media to create awareness amongst people so they know what’s happening. - Tessa
A strong woman stands up for herself, a stronger woman stands up for others.
How do you deal with tough days, especially after a loss or setback? What helps you reset?
I just like to be with my dogs or my family when I had a tough (read: losing game) day. They show me that there’s more to life than just football. That’s also why I decided to come back and play in Belgium. Happiness is key for me and why being unhappy abroad than rather be happy in your own country with your people?
Exactly, but not a lot of people dare to follow their dreams and move abroad, just like you did.
What advice would you give to someone's who's scared to take the first big step, whether in sports or life?
First of all, I would say: make sure you’re 100% behind your choice and you’ve thought carefully about it. To play soccer abroad was often lonely. The only people I saw during ‘work’ and free time were my teammates and the staff. Don’t get me wrong, I would make the same choice over again because it made me being independent, strong and grown-up. And of course, there were also the ‘bad’ times where you have to deal with it yourself, cus you’re the only one out there competing.
Don’t get me wrong, I would make the same choice over again because it made me being independent, strong and grown-up. - Tessa
Yeah, you had to mature on a whole different level and can use these early ‘life lessons’ now for the better.
Ok, let’s stay a little bit in the holiday mood :-) .
How do you love spending your time off, and what's been one of your favorite holiday destinations so far?
My free time during the season is often reading a book, chilling, watching series, or play PlayStation. I’m a really good Call of Duty player 😉
Holidays for me are often to relax, so most of the time we take all-in holidays where we don’t have to look after anything. I think I will really go and discover other countries when I’m done playing soccer.
One of the holidays I really liked was Rhodes or Crete.
Last, but not least, ready for our Question Roulette?
Ready.set.GO!
Beach or Pool? Pool
Favorite La Michaux design? MIMOSA pink with white lace!
Favorite movie? None
Favorite quote? Be yourself
Favorite book? Good night stories for rebel girls from Elena Favilla (got it from my bf)
If you could have one superpower, what would it be? Traveling in time
Any last words for the La Michaux community? Be happy and love Michaux 😊
Thank you so much, Tessa, for taking the time to do this, and for continuing to inspire by simply being the best at what you do.
I can’t wait to come watch one of your games and see more of your La Michaux moments on holiday.
Sarah Michaux
Click the image below to shop Tessa’s favorite La Michaux piece:
MIMOSA PINK:
When I grow up, I wanna be just like tessa ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you to both of you for being such fantastic role models for all the young, beautiful, courageous women we have on the rise today. Such a genuine write up on the current situations females unfortunately undergo in not only sports, however, all kinds of other professions. Thanks again for bringing this all to light and also presenting solutions.
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