Man United Star Has Baby Mid-Career: 'I Can Live Both Dreams

Celin Bizet Donnum refuses to choose between her two biggest dreams, and her decision is inspiring a new generation of female athletes.

The 24-year-old Manchester United winger announced in December that she and her husband are expecting their first child in 2025. For many female footballers, this would signal the end of their playing days. But Bizet Donnum has a different plan.

"If you have two dreams, you can live both of them at the same time," she told the BBC's Women's Football Weekly podcast. "Some people ask if I'm going to quit football and I'm like, 'What?'. That was not in my mind for a second."

Her confidence stems from a changing landscape in women's football. In 2024, FIFA introduced groundbreaking protections including 14 weeks of maternity leave on full pay, space for breastfeeding at training facilities, and the ability to register returning players outside normal windows.

Manchester United has gone beyond the minimum requirements. The club provides personalized plans covering nutrition, mental health support, physiotherapy, and even pelvic floor therapy. They've also given Bizet Donnum freedom to spend time with her husband, who plays professionally in France.

Why This Inspires

Bizet Donnum represents a crucial shift in how female athletes view their careers. For years, players like former England striker Ellen White felt they had to sacrifice motherhood to compete at the highest level. White herself waited until retirement to start her family.

"There's so many tournaments that at times you feel like you're having to sacrifice something," White explained. "It felt like maybe one sacrifice was not having a baby while playing."

But the tide is turning. Aston Villa midfielder Missy Bo Kearns, also 24, recently announced her pregnancy. Bizet Donnum's teammate Hannah Blundell returned to football just seven months after giving birth. Birmingham City striker Simone Magill is expecting in May.

These women are proving that motherhood and elite athletics can coexist. Their courage creates a path for countless others who feared they'd have to choose.

Bizet Donnum admits stepping away for a season is scary, but she's focused on the bigger picture. "After my career, will I look back and think: 'Damn, I didn't play that season' or will I just be happy that I've had a kid?" she said.

The answer seems clear, and her joy is lighting the way forward for women in sport everywhere.