FC Bayern Women’s Edna Imade: Courage and humility

Edna Imade has made an immediate impact with FC Bayern Women. A journey that has crossed the Sahara and Mediterranean to bring her to this point in Munich. It’s a fact she sees as a responsibility and something she wants to encourage others, as she reveals in an interview with Bayern members’ magazine ‘51’.

Edna, your first match here in Munich against RB Leipzig took place in the snow. How are you settling in?
“It was very cold that day. There really is a big difference between the climate in Spain and here. But the weather has been getting better and better over the past few weeks. And I’m not the sort of person who lets external circumstances get to me. I’m feeling fine, don’t worry.”

You made your debut in the next match in Freiburg and scored your first Bayern goal with your very first touch of the ball. That’s a historic achievement!
“I was absolutely delighted because I was able to help our team straightaway. Generally speaking, it makes me proud when our hard work pays off. I’ve only been here a few weeks and I can see how much these players put in every day.”

You scored again in the next match in Jena. Two matches, two goals – does everything always happen so quickly for you?
“[laughs] At the end of the day, I’m a striker, and my job is to score goals. That’s what I do. As far as I’m concerned, it can happily carry on like this.”

On the subject of acclimatisation once again. It’s said that you deliberately chose San Sebastian when you were loaned out by Bayern in the summer because the climate in northern Spain is cooler, to prepare yourself for Munich…
“Yes, that was one of the reasons. Apart from that, Real Sociedad are one of the best teams in the Spanish league. I thought it was also a good move from a sporting perspective to prepare for what awaits me at Bayern. It was a combination of climate and sporting preparation. What’s more, my previous coach from Granada went there, which made it easier for me to settle in at Real Sociedad.”

Then everything happened faster than expected. Bayern brought you to Munich in the winter, rather than at the end of the season as planned. Were you ready?
“I think so. When you move to a different club, to a different city, and on top of that to a different country, you naturally always have to go through a period of adjustment. But when I heard that Lea Schüller might be leaving Bayern, I thought to myself that my phone might ring any day now. The thought then took shape in my mind: maybe you’ll be off to Germany soon. And that’s how it turned out. I’m delighted to be here now. It’s a dream.”

You dedicate each of your goals to your mother. You two have a special story.
“My mother taught me to fight. No matter the circumstances. If you want something in life, you have to give it your all. That’s the most important lesson I’ve taken from her. I don’t dedicate my goals to her with any specific gesture, but everything I do, I do with my family in mind, because they mean everything to me. A large part of what I do, I do for them.”

Could you take our members and fans on a journey through your life story?
“When my mother was pregnant with me and my twin brother Paul in Nigeria, my parents decided that we should have the best possible start in life. They decided to emigrate to Europe, travelling across the Sahara and across the sea. We were born in Morocco, and three months later we set off again. During the crossing, my brother fell overboard, but he was rescued. My father was sent back while we were in Spain, but the three of us were taken in by a convent.”

Your parents were very brave.
“Courage paves the way. I often hear that my story is tough, yet beautiful in its own way. The truth is I haven’t come close to going through what my mother went through. Our story belongs to her. But I can tell this story, and I can bring it to life. Perhaps in this way I can be an inspiration to others. Believe in yourselves, follow your own path. Let’s look out of the window here at the FC Bayern Campus. I’m a Spain international, play for one of the biggest clubs in the world. I know who I have to thank for that, because there were people who never gave up.”

What does home mean to you?
“Good question. We were born in Morocco, but we only spent three months there. So I don’t remember anything about Morocco. My whole childhood – everything I can remember – is in Spain. That’s why I feel at home in Spain, or more specifically in Seville. I feel Spanish. I have ever since I was little.”

Your life story shows that there’s always a way.
“Yes, that’s what I want to convey to people. If you set yourself a goal in life and fight for it, doing everything you can to achieve it, then it will come to pass. I’m convinced of that. But the foundation is always hard work, perseverance and humility. That’s always been the way of life in our family. I’m very humble and always try to be respectful and achieve everything through hard work.”

What does it mean to you to never give up in life?
“In football – and not just there, but in my mother’s life too, for example – obstacles can always crop up. But when there are obstacles in your path, you must always keep fighting and overcome negative thoughts. For me, gratitude is also a key word. You should never forget to say thank you. If my mother hadn’t been so strong, where would I be today? I also see our life story as a responsibility. I must make the most of this opportunity I’ve been given.”

What does discipline mean to you?
“Without discipline, you achieve nothing. One of the cornerstones of why I’m here today is sticking with it, minimising mistakes, always giving my all and constantly striving to improve in order to achieve my goals. A few months ago, my goal was to establish myself at a club like Bayern – and here I am now.”

Is it true that your first sport was flamenco?
“[laughs] Yes. In Seville, it’s very common for girls to be sent to flamenco classes. My mum saw that all the other mums were taking their daughters there, so we did the same. But I only went once and then told my mum quite honestly: ‘I don’t like it. I want to play football.’ So she took me out of the class. She understood, because it was always clear to us that we children should do what really fulfils us.”

You’ve gone on to make a name for yourself as a player in football, but you also worked as a referee to earn some money.
“Back then, as a schoolgirl, I wanted to earn a bit of my own money so I could go out with my friends. A teacher suggested I become a referee because there was a severe shortage. I learnt the rules and within a month I was already officiating matches for young children. My days were then well filled with school, football and refereeing. When you referee matches, it also gives you a different perspective on the game.”

What do you hope to achieve with Bayern?
“Everything. Every possible title. And I want to play my part in that.”

On 1 April, you’ll be playing against Manchester United in the Champions League at the Allianz Arena (tickets available here). How do you feel about that prospect?
“For me, it’s one of the most historic and best stadiums in Europe and the world. Playing there will be an incredible experience.”

What did you know about Bayern before you joined?
“In Spain, people have enormous respect for this club. I also knew that it’s a very physical, robust, aggressive team. They always want to win. When they score a goal, they immediately want the next one. It’s an intense team, and I really like that. It’s also a club that’s always competing for European titles, the league title and the cup. That makes the club one of the biggest in the world.”

One of your idols used to be Ronaldinho…
“[laughs] Yes. When I was little, I always wore my hair in plaits, and when I played with the boys, they’d say, ‘You look like Ronaldinho.’ From then on, we watched loads of videos of him on YouTube. He’s been a player who’s been with me since I was a child.”

How do you celebrate when you win a title?
“I often celebrate my goals by pretending to shoot a basketball. My brother plays basketball, so it’s always a little nod to him. When we’ve won a title, I’m sure I’ll think of something. But first we need to focus on our performance and do our job.”

🏟️✨ Over 10,000 tickets have been sold for the Champions League quarter-final against Manchester United at the Allianz Arena – get yours now!

This interview appeared in the March edition of members’ magazine ‘51’

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