Women’s Nations League Scotland v Germany: ‘You can change your mindset & narrative’ – Emma Watson

“I thought that was it for me. That my world was ending. But you can quickly change your mindset and change the narrative of your story. I’m a big believer that scars tell you where you’ve been, not where you’re going.

“It was definitely a blip in my career, but at the same time, I don’t think it was time lost. In the 12 months I had off the pitch in the gym rehabilitating, I really worked on my mental side. I think I’ve become a lot more resilient and developed stronger physically.

“So I think there are definitely a lot of positives to take from the experience and a lot of learnings. As bad as it was, I don’t think I would change the experience. You have to go through everything in life and that was an obstacle I had to deal with.

“Now that I’m back from that, it’s about taking the learnings from that, getting back playing, trying to work those levels back up again and just continue my story.”

The scar is still there, visible right down the middle of her right knee. A symbol of her successful struggle with adversity.

“I look at it some days and you think back and it makes you a bit sad about what you’ve been through,” she explained.

“But it’s a warrior wound and I’m very proud of the hard work that I’ve put in to get myself back playing football, because it’s not a guarantee.

“I have to be the one in the gym every day doing the work, so I’m just very grateful that I was surrounded by such supportive people at United – the physios, the staff, the players. I wouldn’t have done it without them.

“Even the support from the Scotland national team, like the psychologists, working with them and having people to talk to was massive. I’m happy that I’m back now. “