"This is my charge: We have to be better. We have to love more, hate less. We have to listen more and talk less. It's everyone’s responsibility to make this world a better place." adidas Golden Ball and Golden Boot winner at the FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019™ Megan Rapinoe speaks at a City Hall ceremony in New York City upon arrival back home after leading the USWNT to their fourth World Cup title
"I think if we continue to push the norms and inspire women to walk in with confidence and also inspire men to receive her with open arms, I think that will help a lot. The most empowering thing you can do is to stay and fight through it and just say, 'I believe in myself and that's all that matters and nobody can take this away from me. I'm good and I'm good enough to be here and I belong.' I think that will ultimately give you this great sense of empowerment that you can hold on to for the next time maybe you feel like you're being dismissed." USA midfielder Sam Mewis sits down with The Players' Tribune to share words of empowerment for women
"Investment in women and girls should not only occur in the playing fields but in more storytelling of badass, amazing women who continue to show that we are more than just athletes." USA forward Alex Morgan speaks after winning Best Female Athlete at the ESPY Awards
"The growth [of women’s football in the Netherlands] is ridiculous. If I look at women’s football and the hype, it’s amazing. I think that’s what I’m most proud of, that we got so much respect from the Netherlands." Netherlands midfielder Danielle van de Donk reflects on her team's best ever performance at a Women's World Cup
"It’s always hard to know because you’re kind of in your own world. You’re just preparing for the next training, next game. Obviously we heard a little bit that people are going crazy in Sweden and really watching the football in all sports bars and outdoors and we just felt like the whole country was behind us. We had our prime minister at two of our games, our prince came. Having 30,000 looking so happy and proud and just celebrating our medal … it’s not only our medal, we feel like the medal belongs to the whole nation and the next generation, all the young girls that really, really looked up to us and have us as role models because that’s what it’s all about and hopefully will get more girls to start playing football.” Sweden midfielder Kosovare Asllani speaks with The Guardian about the reception the bronze medallists received upon their return home in Gothenburg
“After a lot of deliberation this summer I have decided to retire from football. Our wonderful game has given me everything. I’m so thankful to everyone who helped me get there and to help me stay there for so long. If you told me at 17 I’d play in World Cups, get to a Champions League final, win the FA Cup and get 100 Premier League goals I would have avoided you at all costs. It’s been an absolute dream come true.” England forward Peter Crouch announces his retirement from football
"I'm here to make my own history, to be remembered as Joao Felix. Of course this is a great comparison, but Cristiano is Cristiano and I want to be myself." Portuguese forward Joao Felix speaks about comparisons with himself and Cristiano Ronaldo, after he completed his transfer to Atletico Madrid from Benfica
Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk enjoys his summer break by visiting Wimbledon
"I can't remember! I've forgotten! I don't know, it's just so much emotion. I can't recall it. The important thing is that I scored for her. It's time to celebrate now, but I'll tell you if I remember." Richarlison tells SporTV that he dedicated his goal in the Copa America final to his great-grandmother, only for him to forget her name
“If you have respect for your profession and look after yourself, it’s easy to maintain your level. Some people are surprised about my performances here, I am not.” Brazil right-back Dani Alves speaks before winning the Copa America, his 40th trophy of his senior career, and the tournament's Most Valuable Player award