Nice to feel that you're no longer afraid

Her courage is born with her.

After the dark time in German Wolfsburg, national team striker Madelen Janogy dared to take on a new foreign adventure.

It's nice to feel that you're no longer afraid, says the Fiorentina pro.

In the summer of 2020, Madelen Janogy made the decision to leave Wolfsburg. Sleep problems and mental health issues led her to break her contract with the German club after just a few months.

Many talked about a failure, but for me, it was absolutely not a failure. If I hadn't made that decision, I wouldn't be here today, says Janogy as she looks out over the training facility on Hisingen where the women's national team is gathered for the European Championship qualifying matches against France and England.

"Can really enjoy"

In the fall of 2020, she played for her former club Piteå, but then it was Hammarby for three seasons. After last year's league gold and cup gold, she signed with Italian Fiorentina in the winter.

It feels like I've come into my own football-wise. We finished third, made it to the Champions League, and reached a cup final. Personally, it also feels good, and the most important thing is that I'm enjoying my daily life. I really am, and that makes it feel like football has come naturally.

How is life outside of football in Florence?

Great. It feels like I can disconnect from football in a completely different way now than I have before. I'm a football player, but I'm also "Madde". I can really enjoy my daily life – go out and get a cup of coffee, hang out with friends, the weather, the culture, good food.

The 28-year-old feels a sense of pride that she managed a new foreign move considering how she felt in Germany.

"Dared to take the step again"

That's what I take with me the most. That I came back and dared to take the step again – and that it went well. It's a receipt that I've done the job personally. It's nice to feel that you're no longer afraid.

She's in a completely different place personally now.

I've always been good at being brave, but maybe extra much now. Now I really don't feel afraid of anything. I've put in the work and am very secure in myself. That's probably the biggest difference, says Janogy.

Where does the courage come from?

It feels like it's something I was born with. I've always been brave, not so afraid of failing.

Born: November 12, 1995 (25 years old), in Falköping.

Position: Striker.

Senior clubs: Falköpings KIK (2010–2014), Mallbacken (2014–2016), Piteå (2016–2019), Wolfsburg (2020), Piteå (2020), Hammarby (2021–2023), Fiorentina (2024–).

A-international matches/goals: 47/10.

Merits: World Championship bronze 2019 and 2023 OS silver 2021, League gold with Piteå 2018, League gold 2023 and cup gold 2023 with Hammarby.

The top two teams go directly to the European Championship in Switzerland 2025. The third and fourth teams will have to play playoffs in the fall. To qualify for the European Championship via playoffs, two wins in double matches are required.

The standings in Sweden's group after four of six rounds: