8 March: a Sampdoria woman’s story on International Women’s Day

Maltide Malatesta is a woman like many others. Ever since she was a girl, her dream was to play football. While her classmates were skipping or practising dance moves in the playground, she’d join in with her brothers and friends for a kickabout. That’s when she fell in love with the game, and she’s never looked back.

She’s 25 now and, needless to say, she’s still playing. She also works as a coaching assistant in the Sampdoria academy, working with the head coaches of the U11 to U17 teams.

On International Women’s Day, Matilde spoke to us about her life as a footballer: “I’ve never thought that football was only for men. Boys and girls can have the same passion and the same thrill for the game.”

Dugout has made a special feature for 8 March offering a snapshot of the women’s teams at some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Sampdoria. Four years ago the Blucerchiati launched its women’s project with the aim of creating an environment where girls can play football, develop and chase their dreams while looking to the older girls as role models.