Interview with Stephanie Roche: "Ronaldo and Messi are unbelievable, but I am unique"

Stephanie Roche (R) with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi at the 2014 Ballon D’Or awards

The woman who competed equally with great footballers for the best goal in the world last year, Stephanie Roche, spoke exclusively to SportsKeeda and compared Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi with… herself! The 25-year-old forward from Dublin, Ireland scored a superb goal in 2014 and was nominated for the Puskas goal of the Year award.

Stephanie was hoping to make history by becoming the first female winner of FIFA's annual Puskas Award for the best goal of the year but lost out to Colombia and Real Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez. Roche got the 33% of the votes while James had 42%. Robin van Persie of Holland and Manchester United was far behind with 11%.

You didn't manage to win the Puskas award, but you were among the favourites. Are you happy with that, or are you disappointed that you lost out?

Disappointed. I'm a sports person and never like to lose. It was a great experience but would have been better had I won!

How do you feel about the economic gap between men’s and women’s football? Do you think that gap can be bridged any time soon?

At the moment, men’s football brings in a lot more revenue than women’s, so it's going to take a lot of work for that to change. The more media coverage the women’s game gets the better, in my opinion.

What was your experience like attending the FIFA Gala for the annual awards? Was it something that you will remember forever?

It was a great experience, for any footballer male or female to attend such a prestigious award ceremony is a great honor.

There is a photo from the gala with you in front of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Did you get a chance to talk to either of them? Who would you say are the Ronaldo and Messi of women's football?

I spoke briefly to Cristiano Ronaldo and he was a really nice guy. I and my boyfriend got a photo with him too. I didn't get to speak to Lionel Messi. Both players are unbelievable so I'm not going to compare myself to either. I'm unique! Ha!

What did you think about Ronaldo's strange scream during his acceptance speech? Did you find it funny, or was it completely understandable according to you?

I got a fright when he shouted it! Ha, he seemed to look at Carlo Ancellotti when he did it, so I don't know if it was a private joke or what it was all about. He deserved to win the award , in my opinion.”

Stephanie Roche was a runner-up for the Puskas Award at the 2014 Ballon D'Or awards

What are your personal goals for your career? How do you want to be remembered as a footballer?

I want to try and see women’s football progress and I've been lucky enough to see that happen since I started playing as a young girl. I just want to enjoy my football and continue to play at a high level for as long as I can. I would like to be remembered as a footballer who made an impact! On and off the field.”

Football is pretty big in India, and you might be surprised to know that you have quite a few fans there. What is your opinion of India and Indian football? Have you ever experienced the country's sport and culture?

“I'd love to visit India, I like going to new places and experiencing new things. I actually don't know a lot about Indian football, I met Alessandro Del Piero at the Ballon D'Or Awards and I know he plays for the Delhi Dynamos. I watch football from all over the world so India will be a country I'll definitely be looking out for more.

Do you think you can score another amazing goal this year and get another Puskas Award nomination?

I managed to get a pretty good goal when I played for Ireland against Costa Rica in March, not quite as good as the Puskas nominated goal. I just want to continue to score goals. Any goal is a good goal, in my opinion.”

Speaking of the wonder-goal, would you say that you were slightly lucky with it, or have you scored similar goals that haven't been in the spotlight?

Again, I scored a pretty good goal last month which I was glad of. It proved to those who don't know me as a footballer that it wasn't a fluke. Those that do know me as a footballer will tell you it definitely wasn't lucky. I practice my technique quite a lot and like to try things on the pitch.

Which is the best goal you have seen in the history of football?

There have been so many, one that springs to mind would be Wayne Rooney's spectacular overhead kick against Manchester City a few years back.”

If there is one thing that you think men's football can learn from women's football, what would that be?

Hmmm, I've been told we have a lot more respect for officials and just get on with things instead of arguing. So maybe that!