To theAyah Pilgrim is one of the promises of Swiss football and one of the brightest talents in our Serie A. A winger born in 2003, she has important physical and technical skills which she uses together with her speed to aim for the goal and finish. She is not yet 21 years old, but she has already won a title with Zurich and then that of Italian champion with Roma, just a few months after the start of her first experience abroad. New city, new team and ambitions almost as big as her talent: the young Swiss spoke about herself in an exclusive interview with The Romanist.
You arrived in January and you already have the Scudetto on your chest. How does it feel?
“I’m happy to be here. I’m sure it was the right step, I know I can grow a lot, I feel it and I see it. Obviously they were special months for me because everything was new and different, but at the same time it was wonderful. Being Italian champions makes me even more proud, they are truly beautiful moments in my young career.”
Until a few months ago you felt too young to leave your country, what made you change your mind?
«The decision to arrive in Rome came in December, I was starting to feel like I wanted to try something new. The club showed great interest and so I took the step, I spoke to my family, my boyfriend and those who work with me and their support also helped me a lot.”
Many big teams in Europe wanted you. Why Roma?
«I had other requests but Roma was the right one for me, it immediately gave me excellent feelings, right from the first interviews. I felt it was the right step for my career, I’m young and for my growth it’s also important to be able to find space on the pitch in order to help the team and work hard on my qualities too.”
So far you have scored two goals, the first with Milan in the Italian Cup.
«That was a moment I had been waiting for for some time, I was looking for it but it didn’t arrive. When I succeeded it was splendid, I hope it is only the first of a long series.”
You did the second against Juve in a key match for the title. What do you remember about that day?
«I must say that initially it was a match day like any other. I woke up telling myself that there was a reason I was here. In the technical meeting after lunch I learned that I would be starting, sure, I was excited but I was more concentrated than under pressure. Then luckily I scored after 5 minutes of play and it was a satisfaction that I carried throughout the match.”
Haavi is also in attack on the left with you: what is he teaching you?
«I can learn a lot from her, I think her style of play is very similar to mine because it is based on speed and one-on-one. Watching her every day in training and in her matches gives me a lot, she is very talented and I can take inspiration from her.”
How did you find yourself in the locker room?
«Really good. They welcomed me in the best possible way and helped me settle in quickly, I always feel at ease, on and off the pitch.”
And with the technician Spugna?
«I trust him and I hope he trusts me. We have a plan and ideas in common, in these first months the most important thing was that I was never in a hurry or under pressure. It’s all new to me, the language, I live alone, it’s a big step, so I just wanted to arrive and settle in. I feel that he also wanted this for me, he is interested, he often asks me how I am physically and emotionally and I appreciate this. He is a great coach.”
You are one of the brightest talents in Serie A. How do you find yourself in Italian football?
«I like it a lot, it’s a higher level than in Switzerland where I was used to. Obviously I can learn a lot, in Rome above all we play with great speed, quality and rhythm, which is why I like it a lot and I think I can fit in best for my characteristics.”
It showed. What does Rome represent for you? Do you see yourself here for a long time or are you aiming for even bigger clubs?
«I have a contract until 2027 and I definitely want to give everything for this club. I feel really good and honestly I don’t think about when the agreement will expire, I just arrived and we have already achieved great goals, I want to continue on this path, grow and then we’ll see.”
What was it like to win the title “from the couch”?
«I had already won a title with Zurich, but that time we were on the pitch (laughs ed.), this time it was different. We were all together watching Juventus-Inter, very excited and when Inter scored we exploded with joy. It was really special and unusual at the same time. An unusual but very beautiful experience because it was my first Italian title and we deserved it. Now we work every day to win the Italian Cup too.”
Your favorite moment from this season?
«Definitely the joy of when we won the Scudetto. I know it’s corny, but it was a moment I don’t think I’ll ever forget. Then there is the personal experience of living in a new country and growing as a person which is very important to me.”
This is an aspect you often highlight…
«Yes on a personal level for me it’s a really big step, very positive, it’s part of the journey. I’m happy and haven’t had any problems yet, my mother visits me often but it’s nice to have the experience of living alone with everything that entails like cooking, cleaning and everything else. I also left home to get out of my comfort zone a bit, I think it’s essential to grow not only as a footballer but also as a person.”
You talked about your mother, we know that initially she didn’t want you to play football…
«When I was 7-8 years old we played in boys’ teams, but each of them had to have two or three players. After a few games with my village team in Switzerland I was selected and when I returned home I was very happy. I asked my parents if I could go and train every day, she didn’t think it was a good thing. I couldn’t believe it, so I told her I was going to my friend’s house when I was actually going to camp. She didn’t know until the coach called her and told her I had talent, to convince her. Then she changed her mind. She is now my biggest supporter, she comes to practically every game.”
Before turning professional, you had an experience where you alternated between school, football and work.
«I started nursing school at the age of 15. Now I have completed it but at the time it was a really intense period, where I worked they were very nice to me and allowed me to continue my football career. In the league in which I played (Swiss Serie B ed.) we were not yet professionals and we trained late in the evening and the pitch was two hours away from where I worked, after training I returned home around midnight and the next morning I had to wake up again at six. Yes, it was tough but I think it’s really important to have an alternative to football, you still don’t earn so much to have the certainty of being able to live from this forever, I’m very happy to have done it but now I’m clearly completely focused on the pitch.”
At Tre Fontane you are one of the most acclaimed by Roma fans.
«They are extraordinary and there are so many of them, I am proud of them. It’s really nice to see so many people following us. For me it is very important to be close to him, even for just an autograph or a photo. Especially in women’s football we must appreciate it, years ago there was nothing similar.”
Now you will return to play at home after the triumph and you will also tour the pitch at the Olimpico.
“I can’t wait! I am very happy to be able to hug them again at Tre Fontane too. It will be the first home match as champions and I am convinced that there will be a truly special atmosphere.”
Speaking of personal growth, all you have to do is learn Italian.
«I wish I could talk about it now! But I’m definitely studying it and I want to learn it, it will be another important step, but it takes some time.”
