Making it easier for players with children was one of the most important issues for the national team players when a new player contract was being negotiated the other year.
Last year, Amanda Ilestedt had the opportunity to make a comeback after the birth of her daughter Mila. Now Zecira Musovic has made the same journey.
"I spoke to Amanda a little bit last year when she was back about the support that is available here. Ten years ago it might not have been possible to have a small child with you and make it work," says Zecira Musovic.
The Malmö FF goalkeeper is beaming with joy as she leaves after the national team's first training session at Ullevi in Gothenburg.
She recently made a comeback to the club team, but putting on the national team clothes again felt a little special.
"You set a goal and then you achieve it and quickly move on to the next one. But some moments stick a little more," says the 29-year-old.
"First football training was like that. First training with the national team was like that. I felt like someone had to pull me off this training ground. Because I want to stay here as long as possible."
Left London
Zecira Musovic made her last national team appearance in December 2024. Since then, she and her partner, former SHL player Alen Bibic (now club director in Rögle), have become parents to their daughter Zarah.
In the middle of her pregnancy, Musovic also signed for Malmö FF, leaving Chelsea and London after four and a half years.
"It has been a really awesome journey, and if I start with the support from Malmö FF, it has been absolutely magical and perfect," she says.
"Somewhere the bar has been set and, player contracts or not, in my opinion it should just be resolved, and it has been. I am very grateful for that of course. I probably wouldn't be here if my daughter hadn't been allowed to come with me."
“Two little girls”
A year ago, one of her best friends, Amanda Ilestedt, was in the same situation and returned to the national team with her daughter Mila, who was born in the fall of 2024.
Now both daughters are in the World Cup qualifiers against Denmark and Serbia next week.
"Mila is also here, so now we have two little girls. It feels very good that we have this agreement, of course," says Amanda Ilestedt.
"Everyone has different life situations at home, but it is clear that it is a prerequisite for us to be able to participate."
Facts: Sweden's World Cup qualifying squad
Goalkeepers: Tove Enblom, Vålerenga, Jennifer Falk, Liverpool, Zecira Musovic, Malmö FF.
Backs: Bella Andersson, Real Madrid, Smilla Holmberg, Arsenal, Amanda Ilestedt, Frankfurt, Elma Junttila Nelhage, Lyon, Hanna Lundkvist, Manchester United, Amanda Nildén, Tottenham, Sofia Reidy, Hammarby.
Midfielders/strikers: Filippa Angeldahl, Real Madrid, Hanna Bennison, Real Madrid, Stina Blackstenius, Arsenal, Rebecka Blomqvist, Frankfurt, Evelyn Ijeh, North Carolina Courage, Monica Jusu Bah, Häcken, Rosa Kafaji, Brighton, Beata Olsson, Liverpool, Fridolina Rolfö, Manchester United, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Chelsea, Felicia Schröder, Häcken, Matilda Vinberg, Tottenham, Julia Zigiotti Olme, Manchester United.
