Arsenal Star Smith Becomes Football's First £1M Woman at 22

At age six, Olivia Smith wrote down her dreams in a journal: win the Ballon d'Or, win the World Cup. Sixteen years later, she's already making history as women's football's first £1 million player.

Arsenal signed the Canadian striker from Liverpool last year in a world record deal. Just 22 years old, Smith has now won her second consecutive PFA Women's Young Player of the Year award, becoming the first non-English player to receive the honor twice.

But Smith's path to the top started long before she stepped onto a professional pitch. Growing up in Whitby, Canada, she faced bullying in school and turned to martial arts for self-defense.

"I did taekwondo as a kid because I was getting bullied," Smith told BBC Sport. "I did gymnastics too. That really helps with my agility."

Those early experiences shaped more than just her physical skills. Taekwondo taught her discipline and arguably improved her shooting speed. Gymnastics gave her flexibility and injury prevention skills that serve her well today.

Smith also credits her multicultural background for her playing style. Her father is Jamaican, her mother Chilean and Peruvian, both with football in their blood.

"I think I have that flair in my DNA," Smith said. Her grandfather on her dad's side played football, as did her maternal grandfather in South America.

The sacrifices came early. At 15, Smith left home for Michigan to pursue professional training. She didn't even know where she'd be living when she boarded the plane.

"You're sacrificing relationships because you make good friends in one place, then you have to move," Smith explained. "That makes it quite tough, especially when you're young."

Her father Sean never stopped supporting her journey. He filmed every game, kept a detailed diary of her goals with timestamps, and reviewed footage with her after matches to identify areas for improvement.

Why This Inspires

Smith's story shows that setbacks can become superpowers. The bullying that drove her to taekwondo gave her mental toughness and discipline. The constant moves that strained friendships taught her independence and adaptability. The unusual training in gymnastics and martial arts created a unique skill set that makes her stand out on the pitch.

Now settling into her second season at Arsenal, Smith finally has what she's always wanted: stability. "When I stepped into the building for my second pre-season it just felt surreal," she said. "It feels like home."

The dreams from that childhood journal remain unchanged: World Cup glory, Ballon d'Or, trophies with Arsenal.