In this special, we see the person behind the most-capped international player, Spitse. "I come from a close-knit family," she says with emotion. "I'm incredibly grateful to my parents: they were always there for me. Not just my parents, but also my sister and my younger brother. They all made sacrifices so I could pursue my sport. I'm so thankful to them for that."
Difficult time
Ajax Women made an impact in the UEFA Women's Champions League last season. Despite going through a challenging period in her personal life, she continued to shine on the pitch. "I'm good at switching between my work and personal life," the captain shares. "I wanted to perform with my team in the Champions League." The experienced midfielder's emotions come to the surface, "I had to shut off certain feelings just to keep going. Thanks to the support of my family, friends, and team, I managed to do it."
'I'm not done yet'
There's plenty of speculation about the end of Spitse's career, but she sees it differently. "I read and hear a lot, but it only motivates me more." When asked if she'll stop playing football anytime soon, she answers with a smile. "I still enjoy the game far too much. If I can't keep up physically, I'll be the first to admit it. Then I'd happily pass the torch on."
With a smile, the Frisian concludes, "I'm not done yet. It's not like I'm saying I'll stop after 2025. That still feels much too soon."
