Whatever is happening in her life, whether she has just scored a dramatic late goal or is facing a difficult period, Viviane Asseyi always keeps a smile on her face. That smile has become her trademark celebration and reflects the positive energy she brings to football.
Her enthusiasm for the game and upbeat personality have helped her reach the highest level of women’s football and contributed to West Ham United Women maintaining their place in the Barclays Women's Super League.Since arriving in East London in 2022, Asseyi has scored several important goals for the club. One of the most memorable came against Brighton & Hove Albion Women in February, when West Ham completed a remarkable comeback after trailing by two goals with less than ten minutes remaining. In the closing moments, Asseyi reacted quickly inside the penalty area to score the winner and secure all three points.
After the celebrations settled, she once again showed her familiar smile, a reflection of the positive mentality she believes has helped the squad through a challenging season.
Asseyi explained that the atmosphere within the team remains strong, with players enjoying being together and supporting one another. She said that football can be unpredictable, with highs and lows throughout a season, so maintaining belief and continuing to work hard is essential until the very last match.
She also spoke about appreciating the opportunity to play football professionally. Although the career can involve sacrifices, such as spending less time with family and missing important occasions, she tries to enjoy every moment and separate football from her personal life. According to Asseyi, having supportive people around her helps her perform better on the pitch.
The forward described the club as feeling like a family and said she enjoys the welcoming environment at the training ground, where she feels comfortable being herself.
During her career, Asseyi has played in France for clubs such as Montpellier HSC Féminines, Olympique de Marseille Féminines and FC Girondins de Bordeaux Féminines before moving to Germany with FC Bayern Munich Women. She later joined West Ham, where she reached 100 appearances in February, becoming only the third player in the women’s team to achieve that milestone.
Reflecting on her journey, Asseyi said that every country taught her something different. In France, she developed technical ability and creativity. In Germany, she learned the importance of teamwork and collective effort. In England, she believes the game has helped her grow both as a footballer and as a person, while also adapting to a more physical style of play.
She added that adapting is an important part of football and becomes easier when surrounded by quality teammates and a good understanding of the game.
When asked what advice she would give young players hoping to become professionals, Asseyi encouraged them to believe in their ambitions, continue working hard, trust the process, and enjoy life while pursuing their dreams.
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