“If I gave up – if other Muslim girls gave up – then attitudes would never change. We all need to be strong and show we’re worthy of what we’re doing.” – Aqsa Mushtaq
When Aqsa Mushtaq first kicked a ball around the streets of Bradford, she wasn’t chasing fame or medals – just the simple joy of football. “I don’t even remember how it started,” she says.
“No one in my family played sports, but I was always outside with a ball at my feet. Whether I was alone or with other kids, I just wanted to play. I don’t remember a time when football wasn’t on my mind 24/7.”
That early passion became the heartbeat of a remarkable journey that’s taken her from grassroots pitches in West Yorkshire to professional leagues across the world.
Earlier this year, she was awarded with the ‘Sport Champion of the Year’ title at the BPA Empowering Women Awards 2025 (#BPAEW2025), a recognition that celebrated not only her athletic achievements but her role as a trailblazer for young women across Yorkshire and beyond.
Aqsa Mushtaq is now playing in Turkey’s First Division – a new country, a new challenge, and another step forward in a career that has already broken boundaries.
“It’s exciting,” she says. “Right now, I’m focused on implementing myself and becoming one of the best in the Turkish league.”
Her rise hasn’t been smooth or predictable; it’s been carved through resilience, faith, and a quiet defiance of expectations.
Aqsa’s early years were spent juggling school, family life, and football in an environment where girls – especially Pakistani and Muslim girls – weren’t encouraged to take sport seriously.
“Being a girl playing football wasn’t the norm,” she says.
“You’d get told you’re not good enough, too weak, or not as quick, just because you were female. But I knew my ability. Once I showed what I was made of, people started to see it too.”
She began at the Bradford Centre of Excellence before moving to Leeds, then played for Idle Juniors with her best friend. At 16, she joined Bradford City Women – then a third-division club – and from there her career gathered pace. Four years in America transformed her both as a person and a player.
“America changed me,” she reflects. “It was the first time I had to be fully independent without my family’s help. It showed me who I was.”
From the US college system, Aqsa’s talent carried her to Italy, where she turned professional.
“There’s nothing like walking into a changing room and seeing your shirt with your name on the back,” she smiles. “It’s a dream you have all your life – and when it happens, it’s surreal.”
One game she’ll never forget was an away match against Wingate.
“My team hadn’t beaten them there since 1998,” she recalls.
“It was 0-0 after 90 minutes, and I scored in extra time after going past three players and putting it in the top corner. The celebrations after that… I’ll never forget them. The week after, I felt like a celebrity.”
Aqsa’s favourite position is right wing. “I’m left-footed, so taking a player on one-on-one, cutting inside and scoring top corner – that feeling never gets old.”
Success hasn’t insulated her from prejudice. “It’s still not normal for a Muslim woman to play football,” she admits.
“Even family members questioned why I was still playing. When I’m training alone back home in Bradford, I still get nervous walking onto a field because I don’t want people judging me.”
But she’s determined to challenge those perceptions. “You deal with it by proving people wrong. If I gave up – if other Muslim girls gave up – then attitudes would never change.
“We all need to be strong and show we’re worthy of what we’re doing. Slowly but surely, we’ll see success.”
That impact is already visible. “People come up to me and thank me,” she says.
“They tell me that my story helped them keep playing. I get messages online from girls who say they can relate to me. It feels amazing to know that my journey can inspire others.”
Professional football is far from glamorous behind the scenes. Aqsa’s schedule is relentless: double training sessions, gym work, tactical drills, and just one day off.
“Pre-season is brutal – your body’s crying out, but you just have to push yourself,” she says.
Her mental resilience keeps her grounded through defeats, injuries, and homesickness.
“You have to focus on the small positives. When things don’t go your way, it’s easy to spiral – but my family always help me see things in perspective. Losing a game isn’t the end of the world. Injuries heal. What matters is staying focused on the future.”
Discipline, she admits, doesn’t come easy. “There’s no secret – it’s all mindset. I take a couple of weeks off at the end of the season to reset. The off-season is where you can really get ahead. I ask myself: do I want to be better than the rest from day one?”
Now, Aqsa is embracing a new chapter in Turkey’s First Division – another country, another culture, and another opportunity to grow. “It’s exciting,” she says.
“Right now, I’m focused on implementing myself and becoming one of the best in the Turkish league.”
Beyond her playing career, she already knows what’s next. “I want to go into coaching,” she says.
“I’ve had great coaches and bad ones – and people don’t realise how much impact a bad coach can have. I want to be the kind of coach who pushes players forward, who helps them believe in themselves.”
For the young girls of Bradford watching Aqsa’s journey unfold, she’s more than a footballer – she’s a mirror reflecting what’s possible. “I hope my story shows that no dream is too far-fetched,” she says.
“Whether it’s football, business, or anything else – if you love it and work hard, you can do it. You just have to take that first step – and believe you belong.”
