Vivianne Miedema - A Detailed Overview
Early Life
Born July 15th, 1996, in Hoogeveen, a town in the north of the Netherlands, Vivianne Miedema comes from a family of football enthusiasts. Her father was an amateur soccer player and her grandmothers also played the game. She grew up playing football with her elder brother, Lars, who later went on to play professionally as well. From an early age, she showed a remarkable talent for the sport, and her local team, VV De Weide, quickly snapped her up.
Beginning of Professional Career
At just 15, having scored an impressive 78 times in 69 appearances for VV De Weide, Miedema joined Heerenveen, a professional team competing in the Dutch women's top-flight league. Even at this tender age, she showed a maturity and skill beyond her years. During her two seasons at Heerenveen, Miedema netted an astounding total of 78 goals in just 69 matches. She also became the youngest player ever to score in a professional Dutch women's league game at 16.
Move to Germany - FC Bayern Munich
In June 2014, Miedema moved to Bayern Munich in Germany. This move signaled her move to one of the most competitive women’s football leagues in Europe. At Bayern Munich, Miedema got the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the best in the world, including several German internationals. During her tenure at Bayern Munich, Miedema won two Bundesliga titles, in 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 thus establishing herself as one of the best strikers in women's soccer.
Move to England - Arsenal
In May 2017, Miedema made another big move, this time to English side Arsenal. Her arrival at Arsenal was warmly welcomed by the team and the fans alike, as they recognized the level of talent she brought with her. She continued to repay the faith shown in her with stellar performances, netting a remarkable 60 goals in 61 appearances between 2017 and 2020. During this time, Miedema also played an instrumental role in helping Arsenal claim the 2018-2019 English Women’s Super League title.
International Career - The Netherlands
Vivianne Miedema has been representing the Netherlands at various age levels since she was 15. She made her full international debut at age 17 and has quickly established herself as one of the team's key players. Notably, Miedema led her country to its first major international tournament victory, the 2017 European Championships on home soil in the Netherlands. In 2019, she became the all-time leading goal scorer for the Dutch national team surpassing Manon Melis. Miedema has also represented the Netherlands at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada, where they reached the last sixteen, and at the 2019 Women's World Cup in France, where they finished as runners-up.
Playing Style and Legacy
Miedema is known for her lethal strikes, remarkable ball control, and spatial awareness. Her goal-scoring record is exceptional; she is a classic striker who can make the most of any chance presented to her. Miedema has won several individual awards, including PFA Players’ Player of the Year in 2019 and the FWA Women’s Footballer of the Year in 2020. Named in the Guardian's 2020 list of the top 100 female footballers in the world, Vivianne Miedema's influence extends far beyond the pitch. She is also known for her vocal advocacy for equality in football and LGBTQ+ rights. Plain and simple, Miedema is an footballing icon, both for what she has accomplished and continues to do on and off the pitch.
