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Following a 3-0 defeat at Brighton, West Ham forward Viviane Asseyi received her usual post-match phone call from her mother, who laughed and told her she had played very badly. Asseyi explained that such honest feedback helps her keep working to improve, noting that she is someone who lives the game intensely.
Childhood Inspiration and Family Support
Asseyi was born in France to Gabonese parents and grew up surrounded by Gabonese culture, with her family sharing food, music, and ties to their heritage every Sunday. Her football journey began at age four after watching France defeat Brazil in the 1998 World Cup final. She asked her mother for a football and declared she wanted to play like Zinedine Zidane. Despite her skinny frame leading her family to joke about how she would compete against stronger players, they supported her ambitions.
When she told her teachers she wanted to be a professional footballer like Zidane, they thought she was crazy because women’s football lacked visibility at the time. However, her friends understood, and she played with them daily before her mother enrolled her in clubs in Normandy.
Training at Clairefontaine and Career Path
Asseyi eventually earned a place at the national football centre in Clairefontaine, joining a select group of teenagers from across France. She recalled that while her family cried with joy reading the acceptance letter, she remained entirely focused on her football dream. During her time there, she studied alongside boys and girls, forming friendships with future professionals such as goalkeeper Alphonse Areola and Portugal player Raphaël Guerreiro.
Living away from her family during the week prepared her for a nomadic career that included stints with Rouen, Montpellier, Marseille, Bordeaux, and a two-year spell with Bayern Munich in Germany. She moved to London in 2022 and is now in her third season with West Ham.
Life at West Ham and Role as a Role Model
Having made 117 appearances for the club, the 32-year-old vice-captain is close to breaking Kate Longhurst’s WSL-era record of 130 appearances for West Ham. Asseyi stated that she immediately felt valued and found a second family at the club. Addressing the team’s difficult start with two wins from their opening seven games, she noted that the squad just needs to address consistency, mentality, and small details.
As a visible Black female footballer, Asseyi looks back at childhood idol Serena Williams and recognizes the impact she has on the next generation. She recalled how messages on social media from people who view her as an inspiration have opened her eyes to the influence players hold. Her mother always reminded her to serve as a good role model and give everything to help the next generation.
West Ham will look to improve their consistency and results when they return to action in the Women’s Super League.
