Number 9, Caitlin Foord is one of the best footballers in the world. She's one of the stars of Australia's Matildas and also of her club team Arsenal. Yet, she is sometimes still struck by her own success. "When I started playing, I would have never imagined that these things would happen," she says.

It's been a big few years for the 30-year-old who says her proudest achievement was to have her family – especially her Nan – at the first game of the 2023 FIFA World Cup. But through the whirlwind of success and fame that was 2023 and 2024, Foord says that more than anything she's learned the value of boundaries. Understanding how much of herself she can give while still maintaining balance has been a journey, but one that she's grown into.

When asked about her favourite part of playing professional football? The answer came instantaneously. The fans, of course. But and outside-of-football life is immensely important to the athlete, who loves nothing more than to spend time with her friends and family.

Below, RUSSH talks to Foord on her favourite movies, the changing pressures of the game and what it's like to be the face of a global brand.

What's something about you that most people don't know, but you wish they did?

Um, that's a hard question! I feel like there's not many things that the fans don't know, because of social media. I don't really feel like I have something that I'm like, "I wish they knew that!"  You know?

In the age of social media, everyone can find out everything?

Exactly, there's not really anything to hide.

What's your current favourite movie, favourite musical artist, and your favourite book?

Well, I'll say I don't really have a book because I don't read too much, but my favourite artist? I change with what my mood is. Yesterday, on the way to my game I listened to old school RnB. I normally go for a random playlist. But, when I prepare closer to the game, it's more like House music. I'm very open with my music.

Then my favourite film? I've been watching TV series lately. The last one I just finished was Starting 5, the one on Netflix with Lebron James and some of the NBA guys. I really enjoyed that. But my favourite movie of all time is Into The Blue.

What's your favourite thing about playing club football in the UK?

I think my favourite thing is the fans. I think at Arsenal, we have the best fans, probably in the world. All the chants they make for every individual as a team, that's something I haven't experienced before. Their commitment to us as a team and to the players and to be there, week in, week out, or every few days the games, to be there to support us. It's just a really nice community feel, and a privilege to play for the club.

I've seen the fans are pretty crazy for the team. That must be such an awesome feeling?

It's incredible. I just think they're so invested as well. And obviously, when you're out there playing, you're playing for yourself, the club, the team and also the fans. For them to be there every game and – home and away – to dedicate themselves. You just kind of want to give back.

It's been a rather intense 12 months following the Women's World Cup and following the Olympics. What's your proudest achievement to date?

One of my proudest moment was the opening game in Sydney [for the 2023 FIFA World Cup]. I think that was the first time that I had had so many family and friends there. The stadium we played at is one that I grew up going to – to watch the biggest games [in Australia], like the NRL Grand Final. Everything massive is played there, and to walk out there – and for the game to be sold out – that moment was like something that I never dreamt of happening for us.

And, as I said, to have my family and friends there. My Nan, who obviously was there as well to watch me in the World Cup. You can't travel really when you're older. So I think it was just a special moment to have that in my backyard.

What are you most excited for in the future?

I mean, there's, there's still so much to be done. I feel like football with the national team, we have the the Asian Cup at home coming up. I feel like that's going to be like, almost a second chance World Cup feeling. The chance to win a trophy on home soil, which we all hope to do.

And yeah, I don't know. I mean, yeah, I think as a as a national team it's important for us to win something and just feel like we deserve it. So now it's just about having the silverware to back it up!

Also, to change football in Australia as well. I feel like that's another proud moment to be a part of and to always go down as being part of that journey with the Matildas.

There's a sort of renewed and very intense thirst for women's sports, which has catapulted you and the team into the spotlight. How are you managing that experience?

It's been challenging, for all of us. Like what I touched on before. Everyone's invested in knowing you on a personal level as well, and personal life and stuff like that. I mean, over here [in London], I feel like it's more separate. But I think when we go back to Australia, because we're not there as often, it's very intense. When we're at camps, it's like "they're back. I need to see them". The things that we used to be able to do, like just going to a cafe and sitting down with a coffee – it isn't as easy as it was before.

I guess, to describe it, it feels intense. Because we're [home] for a short time and so much happens. You almost just don't have time to take a breath or chill out with your friends like we used to. But in saying that, I obviously wouldn't change it. That's the way we want the game to go. But, it's certainly heightened [the experience] when we are in Australia.

Do you feel like the expectations around that have changed?

Yeah, I think so. I think... like everyone has bad days good days. There's the expectation that we should always have time. We should always stop for every single person, and always give 100% which is not possible. The disappointment that people sometimes get is very different to what we're used to. Before, there would have been five or 10 people [waiting] at the hotel, and it's easier to just give your time and then go off to training. But now, you can't please everybody. That's a challenge.

Also, it happened so quickly. You and the team must have whiplash!

Yeah! Like with the World Cup, it was heightened. As the tournament went on, at the start, you just feel like you want to give everything you can. But then I just had to take a step for myself. It was starting to be very tiring, and I couldn't give my full self.

Some sessions, I didn't go to the fence because I wasn't up for it that day. That was me putting myself first. But it means when I can give myself, I'm giving more.

And it's so important to have those boundaries, because football, it's quite a mental game as well.

It's just about having a balance with my outside-of-football life. Really enjoying that when I can switch off. I think I'm pretty good at separating it now. I'm really good at being able to just switch off from the game and sleep. I know some of the girls struggle with that. I think we spend so much time in those environments, really taking a step back keeps the excitement and the balance.

If it's just football all the time then, I get sick of it – almost haha. My family knows when I come home, I don't want to speak about it, because I'm there for them and to enjoy that, and that's my time away. When you speak about boundaries, those are the ones I've had to put in place.

What is it like to be one of the main female faces of adidas football globally?

Obviously, I'm incredibly happy and proud and honoured to be a part of such an amazing brand. You don't think of these things when you start off playing, you know? You don't think "I'm going to have a sponsorship, and I'm going to be the face of a brand". So, it's just a massive honour to be a partner with them – and for them to value you.

Do you remember that giant adidas billboard that you were on? The one on the side of a building in Sydney? I was driving past it almost every day and it was so impressive. I was in awe.

I actually never got to see it in person, but I've seen the photos. I mean.... it's insane!

The number of people that spoke to me about that, because it was indirect traffic. And then I think one thing for me that was kind of like stayed with me was, after the World Cup, the building asked if they could keep it up for longer than they were meant to.

That recognition was really nice for myself and Mary – who was also on there. And then there was the fan zone, and live 4D experience, which my family got to go see as well. When I started playing, I would have never imagined that these things would happen.

Would you describe yourself as an introvert or an extrovert?

Definitely, it depends on the environment, but I'd say introvert until I'm more comfortable.

What can Australians and fans of yourself and the Matildas be doing to support you best?

I think what the fans are doing when we come home and they're there every game, cheering us on and supporting us is more than we can ever imagine. We've packed stadiums. And I've always said, they need to be loud. I think it's Australian culture to relax a bit. But since being over here in England, and how the crowds really get behind us – it does help a lot. I like [the fans] always to be loud.

Then with our boundaries. Hopefully they don't take it to heart if we don't get over to them or whatever. But we definitely appreciate every single one of them.

What's the best piece of advice that you've ever received?

Putting yourself first. You can't please everyone. And and I think once I was willing to do that, I have more energy to give. I've said it many times before, I play my best football when I'm happy.

What advice would you give to young people who aspire to play sports professionally?

I think just stick with it. Work hard. Everyone's journey is different. Everyone makes it at different times. And I just think you can't stop believing. One opinion shouldn't determine you and knock you down. I think if you you believe it, and you love the sport and you want to, do it. It comes sooner for some and later for others, but there's no right or wrong time to make it.

Images: Supplied and Instagram