Leila Ouahabi: Embracing a Winning Mentality and Identifying with Man City’s Playing Style
Leila Ouahabi, the talented left-back for Manchester City, is unsure whether she will get a celebratory tattoo if her team wins the Women’s Super League (WSL) title this season. Her focus remains on helping the club secure their first league crown under the guidance of manager Gareth Taylor. As Manchester City prepares to face off against Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium, Ouahabi’s performance will be crucial in determining the outcome of the match.
Ouahabi, an experienced defender, has striking designs adorning her left arm, with some paying tribute to significant moments and people in her life. One of these illustrations is a butterfly that she shares with her former Barcelona teammate, Patri Guijarro. This tattoo symbolizes the nerves and excitement she felt before Barcelona’s historic victory in the Women’s Champions League in 2021. Reflecting on that match, Ouahabi said, “I remember in that game against Chelsea in the (Women’s Champions League) final. Hours before I felt nervous and I talked with Patri and told her, ‘I’m feeling nervous.’ We spoke to each other and said if we win this title, we would get tattoos of a butterfly.”
Having started her club career in Barcelona’s academy at the age of 13, Ouahabi hopes to achieve something significant this season with Manchester City as they aim to dethrone Chelsea from their position at the top of the WSL. A victory over Manchester United would not only secure bragging rights in the derby but also propel City to the top of the table, ahead of Chelsea’s match on Sunday. This clash between the Manchester rivals is one of five derbies taking place during Women’s Football Weekend, showcasing the intense competition within women’s football.
Ouahabi anticipates a competitive and exciting game against Manchester United, acknowledging their talented players. She hopes that the fans will enjoy the match as Manchester derbies hold similar emotions and intensity to Barcelona’s classic encounters with Real Madrid. This will be Ouahabi’s fourth WSL derby, and she is eager to contribute to her team’s success once again.
The last league meeting between Manchester United and Manchester City resulted in a thrilling 3-1 victory for City at Old Trafford in November of last year. Ouahabi has played in 12 of City’s 16 top-flight games this season and sees the team’s playing style as a reflection of her own character. She describes it as passionate and full of character, similar to her time at Barcelona. Her goal is to win every game and lift trophies with Manchester City, just as she did during her successful stint in Spain.
As Ouahabi prepares for the crucial Manchester derby, she hopes to showcase her winning mentality and embrace the playing style that aligns with her character. Manchester City’s clash with Manchester United promises to be an exciting and competitive match, with both teams vying for victory. Ouahabi’s presence on the field will undoubtedly be crucial in determining the outcome of this highly anticipated encounter.