WSL Oneshots

Alessia's Emotional Breakdown

The weight of the past few weeks was starting to take its toll on Alessia Russo. Between the intense expectations at Manchester City Women and her recovery from the emotional fallout of missing the FIFA Women's World Cup, she was barely holding it together.

Training had been grueling, her performances were under the microscope, and whispers of doubt about her ability to adapt to her new team hung in the air. Despite her best efforts, Alessia felt like she was always falling short.

One evening, after a particularly frustrating training session, Alessia sat in her car, gripping the steering wheel tightly. Her chest felt heavy, and her vision blurred as tears spilled down her cheeks.

Earlier that day, a passing comment from one of her teammates had stuck with her.

"You're good, Alessia, but you're not the Alessia we were expecting."

It wasn't meant to be cruel, but it cut deep. She had always prided herself on being a dependable player, someone her teammates could count on. Now, she felt like a shadow of herself, and the pressure to prove her worth was overwhelming.

When Alessia got home, she dropped her bag at the door and sank onto the couch. The silence of her apartment felt suffocating. She thought about calling her brother, Luca, or maybe even Chloe, but she couldn't bring herself to reach out.

Instead, she curled up with her knees to her chest and let the tears flow freely. The dam had broken, and every insecurity, every disappointment, and every ounce of stress came pouring out.

"I'm failing," she whispered to herself. "I can't do this."

Just as Alessia felt like she couldn't sink any lower, her phone buzzed. It was Chloe Kelly.

"Hey, Less," Chloe's voice was warm and full of concern. "I was just thinking about you. How are you holding up?"

Alessia hesitated before replying. "I'm not great, Chloe. It's... it's been hard."

Chloe listened patiently as Alessia poured her heart out, sharing her fears and frustrations.

"You're not failing, Alessia," Chloe said firmly. "You're one of the best players I know, and you've been through so much. Give yourself time. We all believe in you."

After the call, Alessia felt a little lighter. Chloe's words reminded her that she wasn't alone, and that she didn't have to carry the weight of her struggles by herself.

That night, Alessia made a promise to herself: she would take things one step at a time. She would lean on her support system and focus on finding joy in football again.

As she drifted off to sleep, Alessia whispered to herself, "I'll get through this. I have to."