Swiss Star Returns to WSL After Italy Stint Falls Short

When Lia Walti left Arsenal for Italy's Juventus in 2025, she was searching for a fresh challenge after seven trophy-filled years. What she found instead was a league where stadiums sat empty, pitches were substandard, and the professionalism she'd grown accustomed to simply didn't exist.

The 33-year-old Swiss captain lasted just one season before returning to England, signing with Brighton this summer. Her experience opened her eyes to how far ahead the Women's Super League really is.

"I missed the feeling of being valued as a footballer," Walti told BBC Sport. The differences weren't subtle, they were extreme.

In Italy, games felt hollow without the fan culture she'd helped build during England's women's football boom. Even basic infrastructure lagged behind, from camera angles that made matches look slow and boring on TV to pitch quality so poor that beautiful football became nearly impossible.

Walti isn't trying to criticize Italy specifically. She's pointing out a global reality: the WSL has set a standard that other leagues simply can't match yet.

The Ripple Effect

Walti's frustration goes beyond her own career. Having experienced both worlds, she sees talented players across Europe and beyond who never reach their potential because they lack proper training facilities, media coverage, and professional support.

"A lot of talent in women's football gets lost because they are in bad environments where nobody sees them," she said. Switzerland faces the same challenges Italy does.

The problem isn't just about money, though that's certainly part of it. Countries need to invest first before seeing returns, and many lack either the funds or the patience. But Walti believes change starts with making the game visible and accessible to fans.

England figured this out by broadcasting matches with quality production, filling stadiums (even small ones), and creating an atmosphere that makes people want to watch. That fan energy fed back into player motivation, which drove better performances, which attracted more fans.

Brighton represents exactly what Walti was looking for. The club is building Europe's first purpose-built women's football stadium, a £75-80 million project. They've already invested £8.5 million in training facilities where the women's team trains alongside the men.

More importantly, Brighton cares. Walti heard nothing but positive feedback from other players before even having conversations with the club. That trust mattered after her Italian experience, where speaking up about problems led nowhere.

Now back in an environment where her voice carries weight and her talent gets the support it deserves, Walti feels grateful but also responsible. She knows she's one of the lucky ones who gets to experience true professionalism in women's football.

Her return to England isn't just about personal comfort, it's about playing where the game is taken seriously and where her passion for pushing the sport forward might actually create change.