Rhiannon Roberts proud to see Wales ‘bashing down barriers' for future stars
Rhiannon Roberts will be thinking of Wales players past, present and future when the team make their historic appearance at the Women's Euros in Switzerland this summer.
The campaign will be their first at a major tournament finals, after they secured qualification in December with a play-off triumph over the Republic of Ireland in Dublin.
'For us, for them, for her' is a slogan for the team that was launched by the Football Association of Wales in 2023.
And, ahead of International Women's Day, 77-cap defender Roberts told the PA news agency: 'We love it and we just think it's us in a nutshell.
'We want to do the best for us, the best for people who have paved the way before us and broken down barriers, and we want to leave it in a better place for the next generation as well.
'We have to be thankful for what people have done in the past, appreciative of the position we're in now, and keep constantly bashing down those barriers for those to come and take our shirts later on.'
Having played their first international in 1973, it was not until 1993 that the Wales women's team were officially recognised by the FAW.
A decade later, the governing body withdrew them from Euro 2005 qualifiers with the cost of travel being cited, after they were drawn in a group with Belarus, Estonia, Israel and Kazakhstan.
The transformation that followed has seen the team, managed by full-time head coaches since 2010, have some qualification near-misses before the dream was then realised with December's groundbreaking success.
That was three years on from the FAW launching its first women's and girls strategy, and just under two after it announced an equal pay agreement with the women's and men's sides.
Roberts, who made her Wales debut in 2015, said: 'We've just increased everything off the pitch. We're equal to the men now and in many ways, not just pay: our media team, medical team, coaching staff, everything off the pitch is equal to the men's.
'It's changed a lot – and it's changed on the pitch as well. It's been a roller coaster.'
Wales' bid to reach the 2023 World Cup ended in a dramatic play-off against Switzerland, leading the second leg through an early Roberts goal before losing 2-1 after conceding in the final seconds of extra time.
See you at the Euros 2025! Pack your bags, we're off to Switzerland 🤩🏴❤️ pic.twitter.com/v5VTIJfDCT
— Rhiannon Roberts (@RazzaRoberts) December 4, 2024
That 'heartbreaking' match, after which Roberts 'didn't sleep for probably a week', led to a steely focus going into the Euro qualifying campaign, and she admits while it was 'incredible' when history was sealed with the 3-2 aggregate win over the Republic, she 'only ever envisioned us celebrating.'
Rhian Wilkinson's side face England, the Netherlands and France in Group D, and Roberts says Wales want to be 'brave', compete and make their families and country proud – adding with a smile that 'for us, for them, for her' is something she will have in mind 'always'.
When the 34-year-old was a child, regularly attending Wrexham's men's games, the Wales women's team, she says, 'just wasn't on your radar, wasn't visible.'
Former Blackburn, Doncaster Rovers Belles and Liverpool player Roberts married Nathan Rooney, currently head of football at Larne, in 2022, a wedding that included her scoring a goal in her white dress as guests took part in a women v men match, won by the former 5-0.
Girls vs Boys ⚽️❤️The 1-2 with @jasminem250, the nutmeg finish followed by the BEST celebrations 🤣👰🏼#onlyatourwedding #razzarooney 💍 pic.twitter.com/J5fvhoOTEx
— Rhiannon Roberts (@RazzaRoberts) June 4, 2022
Footage went viral, and Roberts recently discovered team-mates at Real Betis, her club since 2023, were familiar with the video without knowing it was her who had starred.
'I said, 'yeah, that's me', and they went 'it was everywhere',' she said. 'I think I'll retweet that in June!'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNN
12 minutes ago
- CNN
With the 2026 World Cup one year away, the USMNT can't seem to win a game
With exactly one year to go until the start of the 2026 World Cup, things are not going to plan for the US Men's National Team (USMNT). The tournament, co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, is supposed to usher in a new era of men's soccer in the United States, a chance to prove itself on the world stage against the very best teams on the planet. But if recent results are anything to go by, the World Cup in 12 months could end up in a humiliating disappointment. The somewhat bleak outlook was laid bare Tuesday night after the USMNT was thrashed 4-0 by Switzerland during a friendly in Nashville. The game was over before halftime, with Switzerland scoring its fourth goal after 36 minutes. Those fans inside the stadium let their voices be heard, with boos ringing around Geodis Park. Make no mistake, Switzerland is a very capable side with a number of top class players but it's a level the US needs to be comfortable playing against if it stands any chance of progressing out of the group stage at the World Cup. The defeat means the US is now winless in its last eight games against European opposition and on a four-match losing streak in all competitions. After the loss, US head coach Mauricio Pochettino blamed himself for the inexperienced starting lineup he chose to use against Switzerland. Defender Nathan Harriel and midfielder Quinn Sullivan were both making their first start, while Sebastian Berhalter, son of former head coach Gregg Berhalter, made his debut. Five changes were made at the break and the US looked more comfortable in the second half, albeit after Switzerland took its foot off the gas. 'It was my decision and that decision didn't work. And when that doesn't work, you need to criticize yourself,' Pochettino told reporters after the match. Despite missing several of its regular starters, the defeat will pile yet more pressure on Pochettino. His appointment last year was supposedly a sign of intent, with the Argentine considered among the best managers in world soccer. Pochettino had previous success in building projects, perhaps most notably at Tottenham Hotspur where he guided the team to a Champions League final in 2019. He then went on to manage Paris-Saint Germain and Chelsea – although he arguably failed to hit the heights expected at both clubs. When he was announced as US manager back in September, US Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker said he was confident Pochettino was 'the right choice to harness the immense potential within our talented squad.' And, speaking to CNN Sports shortly after taking up his new role, Pochettino was positive about the future of the team. 'The culture is there, the culture of the country is there. Everything has a very good mentality,' he said at the time. Fast forward nine months and that rosy picture is beginning to look a little more lethargic. Since taking over from previous head coach Berhalter, Pochettino has overseen a 5-5 record, including some very poor performances – including a defeat to Panama. The form of the team has unsurprisingly drawn criticism. Speaking to CNN Sports in April, former US striker Clint Dempsey said he was 'a six or seven right now' when asked how worried he was out of 10 about the team. Little has happened since then to give him any more confidence. The USMNT's most successful coach, Bruce Arena, has also voiced his dissatisfaction, questioning whether Pochettino is the right man for the job. 'I think when you have coaches that don't know our culture, our environment, our players, it's hard,' Arena said on the 'Unfiltered Soccer' podcast earlier this year. 'I'm sure our coach is a very good coach, but coaching international football is different than club football. It's a completely different job.' With the pressure rising around the manager, the players have been saying the right things in public. After the defeat against Switzerland, experienced defender Walker Zimmerman said there was still time to recover some positive form ahead of the World Cup. 'I think it's really easy to look at one game, one half and be like, oh, this is all going to pieces; they can't come back from this,' Zimmerman told TNT Sports. 'But you look even to the buildup to the 2022 (World Cup), we take down Morocco 3-0 and they make it into the semifinal. Things change – that was six months apart. 'It's not the end of the world. We accept that it's not good enough and we realize that and that's where the disappointment comes in. We have to flip the script and make sure we don't come out like that ever again.' Attention will now turn to the CONCACAF Gold Cup, a competition the US has won seven times. The USMNT will start its campaign against Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday, before facing Saudi Arabia and Haiti in its other group games. Preparation for the tournament could barely have been any worse, so Pochettino will hope to use the run of games to develop a more positive feeling around the team. You sense nothing short of a run to the final will appease those worried about the direction of this project. Although, to add further insult to injury, the US will be without many of its top players for the tournament. Christian Pulisic, arguably the best player in the team, is not available for selection due to fatigue, a decision which had led to some criticism of the winger's commitment to the team. Meanwhile, Weston McKennie and Tim Weah are both away with Juventus at the Club World Cup, while PSV defender Sergiño Dest pulled out of the squad to focus on fully recovering from an ACL injury. It means the team most likely to play the opening game of the World Cup next year will miss out on what could have been important minutes together on the pitch. On Tuesday, Pochettino bemoaned the lack of time he's had with his full squad and said it was a 'massive challenge' to prepare for the World Cup. 'It's difficult to have continuity and balance,' he said. For some of his critics, Pochettino's words may sound like yet more excuses for a run of poor performances which has dampened the excitement ahead of next year's tournament. The one positive, though, is that there is still time for the team to click and 12 months to find a winning formula that could make the World Cup as successful as many had once hoped.
NBC Sports
21 minutes ago
- NBC Sports
2026 World Cup predictions: With one year to go, here are some (very) early predictions
The 2026 World Cup kicks off in the USA, Mexico and Canada on June 11, 2026, so that's one year from today and with that in mind it felt like a good time to reveal some predictions. MORE — 2026 World Cup venues, schedule, dates Of course, these are incredibly early predictions given the fact that only a handful of teams have booked their spot in the newly-expanded 48-team tournament, but there's still plenty of fun to be had imagining how epic next summer is going to be and predicting how it will all play out. MORE — Which teams have qualified for the 2026 World Cup? Okay, here are my (very, very early) 2026 World Cup predictions. One of the host nations will go on a very deep run There have never been three host nations of a World Cup before, so the odds of one of them doing well is higher than normal. I hear you. But this feels like one of the host nations is peaking at exactly the right time. And it's not the one you think. Canada. Jesse Marsch's side have Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David, Cyle Larin, Tajon Buchanan, Alistair Johnston and Stephen Eustaquio all hitting their prime together and playing on some huge teams in Europe. There is a great balance and togetherness about this Canada team. They feel like a club team and Marsch's high-energy approach will ruffle plenty of feathers. Look out for Canada to make a deep run and both Mexico and the USMNT can only hope they're anywhere near Canada in terms of solidity and squad depth when the World Cup begins. Weather conditions will be a huge factor There have been very few headlines about it so far, but we all know how hot it gets in North America over the summer months. The heat is going to be a huge factor. Of course, teams will acclimatize and prepare but most of the domestic league seasons in Europe finish just two weeks before the 2026 World Cup kicks off. That doesn't give players that much time to adjust to the new climate. Several stadiums in the U.S. have the ability to host games indoors (Houston, Dallas, Atlanta and SoFi) and so does BC Place in Vancouver, Canada. But next summer there will be a huge advantage for teams who are used to playing in warmer, more humid conditions. You will hear a lot more about this in the coming 12 months. Mbappe will leave Messi, Ronaldo behind and become highest scorer in World Cup history When it comes to scoring goals and being general GOATs we know Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are legends. But Messi has scored 12 goals across five World Cup tournaments to put him sixth all-time. Ronaldo has scored just eight goals across the same number of tournaments. As for France's Kylian Mbappe, well, he's played in two World Cups and scored 12 goals already. This is the World Cup where Mbappe will overtake Messi in terms of goals scored at a World Cup and to do that in three fewer tournament is just absolutely bonkers. Messi will turn 38 during the tournament next summer. Ronaldo will be 41. Mbappe? He will be 27 and have at least another two World Cups in him. Miroslav Klose's record of 16 World Cup goals is probably going to go next summer and Mbappe's impending record may never be beaten. Several giants will struggle With the new expanded format it will be tough for most teams to not make it out of the group stage. But there are quite a few big boys who could struggle mightily. Brazil's squad is lumpy, stacked in certain areas but very thin in others, and new manager Carlo Ancelotti will have to be pragmatic and the balance is just off for Brazil. Their qualifying struggles prove they will have a poor World Cup unless something drastic changes. When you look elsewhere, you can also see the likes of Germany and Italy (if they qualify) struggling because they're in the middle of talent cycles. They are being forced to rely on veterans or players who are inexperienced and like Brazil they have very talented individuals but the overall balance is off. Predicting the dark horses Okay, there are going to be a few teams in this list who have yet to qualify but they're looking pretty good and I'd back them to go far next summer. Norway is the obvious choice as they're flying in qualifying as they have a solid defense and the talent of Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard, Antonio Nusa, Alexander Sorloth and Oscar Bobb in attack. Another team to watch out for is Japan. I'm not sure we can call them dark horses as they should have made an even deeper run than the last 16 in the 2022 World Cup, but with Mitoma, Endo and Kubo leading the way they are so well balanced and dominated qualifying in Asia. Another three teams I'm keeping a close eye on are Colombia, Ecuador and Paraguay. All three have impressed throughout South American qualifying and have tight-knit units. Colombia have the talent to go the furthest but Ecuador are solid and their defense and midfield is so tough to break down. Paraguay have a great crop of youngsters coming through too. Also, don't sleep on Turkiye, Switzerland or Sweden from Europe either, as all three nations have rising stars and experienced heads and a nice balance about them.
CNN
28 minutes ago
- CNN
Sarina Wiegman and England women starting from ‘zero' heading into Euro 2025
Less than a month away from the start of the Women's Euros in Switzerland, England heads into the tournament as defending champion, ranked No. 4 in the world and with memories of success lingering. Sitting in the Wembley Stadium dressing room where those Euro 2022 celebrations took place, Lionesses head coach Sarina Wiegman remembered seeing a group of players and a nation that were not only ready to win, but desperate to lift some silverware. However, she recalled being keen to extinguish that sentiment pre-Euros. 'I've talked to many people before the tournament even started then, and many players said they were desperate to win a tournament. So, I asked them to take off the word 'desperate' and just do everything to get prepared and be at your best,' Wiegman recently told CNN Sports. That mentality change got them over the long-awaited finish line at Wembley in 2022, but the 2025 tournament in Switzerland brings with it a new cycle and fresh challenges. The landscape of women's and girls' football has changed dramatically in England, and globally, since the Lionesses' landmark victory. The FA reports a 56% increase in women and girls playing the Beautiful Game since 2020. After meeting the goal of 75% of schools offering equal access to soccer in England a year ahead of schedule, the governing body has set a new goal of 90% of schools that offer boys' football to offer girls' football by 2028. Additionally, investment and revenues continue to grow at the professional level, according to Deloitte. With rapid growth come challenges, however. Chelsea defender Millie Bright talked openly about the sport's impact on mental health, posting about fan abuse in February on her Instagram Stories saying, 'Please may I remind you that as players we are not collectables, we are not robots, we are humans the same as you.' Wiegman touched on a similar point in her interview, emphasizing the importance of helping players adapt to changes in competitive demands on and off the pitch. Demanding better facilities, improving scheduling and access are all part of the growing pains. 'So many good things happened. Also, lots of challenges with the growth of the game. You know, we talk about the calendar, we talk about the outside world that has changed too, players are now household names. Which is great but also brings challenges because their life has changed,' the Dutch-born coach said. 'There's still a connection between players from different countries and in different environments and trying to support each other to make facilities better, or to make structures better, and to address things. And I think that goes beyond football. 'I think that helps women in football, women in sports, and women in society, and that's, I think, a deeper purpose,' Wiegman added. Wiegman's teams – formerly Netherlands and now England – have won the last two editions of the Women's European Championship with two consecutive trips to World Cup finals on either side of those victories. No other manager has won the Women's Euros since 2013. Yet, she's not thinking about the upcoming tournament as a chance at a personal three-peat, nor does she feel her team is the outright favorite because of its win three years ago. 'There are lots of countries I think that are favorite to win it (the Euros),' Wiegman admitted. 'This is a new situation. Of course, I cherish the moments. I'll never forget it. It was incredible, but we're in a new situation now, going into a new Euros. Everything starts again. I would say at zero,' the Lionesses head coach said. 'We're moving on, so we cherish the moment, we never forget it, but you have to move on. If you stand still, people will just pass you and then you're done.' The build-up, though, to the title defense has been far from plain sailing. On the pitch, England has won three, drawn one, and lost two matches in 2025. Off it, unexpected news kept dropping in the lead-up to Wiegman's squad announcement earlier this month as both former number one goalkeeper Mary Earps and veteran midfielder Fran Kirby announced their retirements from international duty. Additionally, 2023 World Cup captain Bright made herself unavailable for selection. The Chelsea defender posted on Instagram saying, 'Right now I'm not able to give 100% mentally or physically' and has since undergone knee surgery. Adding to that potential headache for Wiegman, a handful of key players are only just coming back from lengthy injury spells. Lauren Hemp and Alex Greenwood both returned for the final three games of the WSL season. Bayern Munich midfielder Georgia Stanway has only played 60 minutes since December after an operation on a lateral collateral ligament (LCL) tear in her right knee. And forward Lauren James hasn't played a minute for club or country since sustaining a hamstring injury in England's 5-0 victory over Belgium in early April. Despite a chaotic week in the lead-up to the team announcement, 13 players from that 2022 victory are in the squad. The chosen group has an average of 40 caps per player, only two less than the average for the previous edition's roster. The team has a lot of experience at its core, while seven players are heading to their first major tournament. 'I think we have a new England team now and we have been in transition, new players coming in. Some very experienced players still. That's where we stand right now,' the two-time Euros-winning coach told CNN Sports. 'I think we have a lot of quality. But bringing individuals together and let them collaborate in the best possible way, that brings us to the highest level.' England did reach new heights in 2023 by reaching its first ever World Cup final. The Lionesses, though, lost 1-0 to Spain with some seeing it as power shift in momentum in the women's European game. La Roja continues to compete at the highest level in spite of larger on-the-pitch and societal issues tainting the successes and will likely be the team to beat this summer. 'I think, in the World Cup, they had a deeper purpose, a higher purpose. They have a very specific style of play which is really good, which is attractive to watch,' Wiegman lauded. 'But we also showed that they have some vulnerabilities too, and that's what you see in the game too. The level's going up, and countries are developing, teams are developing and trying to figure out and taking up super strengths and trying to find weaknesses.' The Lionesses begin their UEFA Women's Euro 2025 campaign against world No. 11 France. And it doesn't get any easier as their next Group D opponent is 2017 European champion the Netherlands. The 55-year-old England coach knows anyone can win on any given day; the competition has never been stiffer. 'We have to be on it on the Fifth of July. We play France. They're a very good team, and that's the same for them. Our group is really tough, but we also know if you want to win a tournament, you have to be at your best. And we need every single player to contribute to the team performance.' England Euro 2025 squad: Hannah Hampton, Khiara Keating, Anna Moorhouse; Lucy Bronze, Jess Carter, Niamh Charles, Alex Greenwood, Maya Le Tissier, Esme Morgan, Leah Williamson, Lotte Wubben-Moy; Grace Clinton, Jess Park, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Keira Walsh; Michelle Agyemang, Aggie Beever-Jones, Lauren Hemp, Lauren James, Chloe Kelly, Beth Mead, Alessia Russo
