Celia Sasic: Budapest is perfect for a Champions League final!

As a two-time UEFA Women's European Championship winner with Germany and a UEFA Women's Champions League victor with 1. FFC Frankfurt, Celia Sasic has achieved almost everything in the women's game. It is no surprise then that the prolific former striker has taken on an ambassadorial role with European football's governing body, particularly in regard to the 2019 Women's Champions League final, which is due to take place in Budapest in under three weeks' time. Sasic admits to being mightily impressed by the host stadium, which is normally home to Ferencváros' men's team, and that the players are going to revel in its atmosphere if Hungary's football lovers turn up in numbers.

"I've been to Budapest three times", explained Sasic. "I love the city, I love the buildings and the atmosphere in the city and when I saw the stadium I thought 'Wow! This is a perfect location to play a Women's Champions League final because from the sides it's not too big or too small and if there's a good attendance, there'll be a great atmosphere on the pitch, also for the players and they will love to play here'."

There's no doubt that Sasic holds this particular competition close to her heart, not least because it represents the culmination of a long and arduous journey for any footballer. Reaching the pinnacle of the sport is why this game is so special.

"It's just the Champions League! You just hear the words 'Champions League' for the champions it's the best you can reach in club football so it's high-level. high-class and everything you dream about when you're playing football, because you want to reach high-class, high-level finals and Champions League... well, boys dream of becoming Champions League winners and for girls it's exactly the same - they have the same passion for it. So it is very very special and for me, the 2015 final has a special place in my career and in my memories. For anyone who plays in this game, in this final, it is something that will stay with them forever."

The German of French and Cameroonian descent, who is married to a Croatian professional footballer in the men's game, took us back to the moments just before the 2015 final in order to convey to us just how special a Champions League final is. "I think that as I was in the tunnel and you see this purple carpet going out and hear the music, you're just like, 'yeah!' In the tunnel you don't see right or left - you're just focused on what will happen and you just enjoy the moment. You feel all the atmosphere and you just play. This is the best case because for sure it can be the case that you have the pressure but in 2015 we played at home, you know that the whole family is there, the crowd is with you and this is a real special feeling that can push you on the field to give your best and play at the highest level you can play."

Sasic was also refreshingly candid about what it takes for a young player to succeed in an increasingly competitive sport.

"I think (one of the key things) it's to never give up. When you are really passionate about this sport, and you love to play football, play football. Whatever anyone says, just go on playing because it gives you something which is for you personally from the first moment. Then for sure you have to work hard, but for me it was always the most important for me to have fun in what I do and to love what I do to reach the top, not to put too much pressure on myself but just to enjoy playing, especially for young girls and children. Not to have pressure but to enjoy the game because it is then that you can pay your best football; when you enjoy what you do. I think this is the basis of everything. Then of course you have to train, you have to maybe also sacrifice a lot of things because when you play at the highest level you have to sacrifice going out at the weekend in favour of spending the whole time out on the pitch with the rest of the team. But I think when you love it, when it's what you really want to do, it's not really a sacrifice."

The 111-times capped Germany international told us she's looking forward to being in the crowd for the UEFA Women's Champions League final which will be contested by Barcelona and Lyon on 18th May. We look forward to welcoming her there again!