By the time Alyssa Thompson graduated high school, the Los Angeles native had already signed a first-of-its-kind deal with Nike, made the US Women’s National Team, and been named the No. 1 pick in the 2023 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) draft.
A little over three years later, 21-year-old Thompson is back for her second season on the pitch with the Chelsea FC Women soccer team following a record-making $1.3 million (or more, according to some reports) transfer from Angel City FC last year. The move to London has only fueled her motivation: Now, she’s focused on helping Chelsea take home more trophies and earning her spot on the USWNT 2027 Women’s World Cup roster.
That drive shows up off the field, too. She’s a member of Dove’s Body Confident Collective, which aims to build girls' confidence to keep them in sports, and a mentor for her younger, soccer-star sisters — Gisele (an Angel City FC defender) Zoe — too. They’ve both mirrored their big sister, with name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals of their own.
We asked Thompson how she stays so disciplined, what she reminds herself of when insecurity creeps in, and why her best friend makes her feel limitless.
Your second season with Chelsea is officially underway. What feels different this time around — in your game, but also your life?
I feel more settled. Coming back to London, I was excited to be with the team again and start the season. Last year [with Chelsea], we didn't end the season with the best record, and I think we wanted more for ourselves. So coming into this season, I think everyone on the team is ambitious and driven to be top of the league again and win more trophies.
Zoe recently signed her NIL deal with Nike, at just 14. You were a teenager when you signed yours, too. What do you know now that you wish someone told you when you signed? And what do you want to pass down to Zoe about her deal?
There was so much that I didn't know. Looking back, I don't know what I would tell myself, to be honest.
Something I want to pass down to Zoe would be to keep your head down; this is just the beginning, and the first part of (hopefully) a long career in soccer. She's such a hard worker and she's so determined.
I think a lot of people can get big heads or think they “made it.” But it’s the first stepping stone to where we actually want to be. I’d tell her to stay hungry.
You went pro at 18 and started making real money before most people had their first internship. What's one money lesson you had to learn unusually early?
I [had] no idea what to do, but I think having a financial advisor, someone that you trust to help with the money stuff, has been so helpful. My financial advisor is my uncle, and he helps me with everything. I can just focus on soccer and leave the money to him.
What's the best thing you've spent money on since turning pro?
My apartments. One with my sister in LA — I loved that apartment. It was [our] first time living by ourselves, and I really felt like an adult.
And [since] coming to London, my apartment now. I love it so much. It's my safe space.
We're nine months out from the 2027 Women's World Cup. What are you doing differently this year to prep for a potential run?
Going into the last World Cup, I didn't think I was going to make the roster. [Editor’s note: She did.] This time, I want to focus on what I've been doing at Chelsea. I'm confident in what I bring to the field, and just homing in on those skills and getting the little details right.
Off the field, I’m staying healthy, taking care of my body, and staying happy. I think all of those things will help me be the best version of myself going into the World Cup, and put me in the best position to get picked to go.
What’s something you’re wildly disciplined about — and something you have absolutely zero discipline around?
I'm disciplined with soccer. That was instilled in me from a young age, and a lot of my friends [would] say that too. I've missed so many things for soccer and they all understand. When I'm doing something, I'm doing it to my full extent.
Something that I'm not really disciplined with is food… I have “everything in moderation,” but I feel like I'm not very disciplined with that.
Any specific food?
Right now, I want cinnamon rolls and donuts.
Dove research found that one in two girls who quit sports have been criticized for their body type. You've spent most of your life in environments where your body is constantly evaluated for what it can do. How have you learned to separate being critical of your performance from being critical of yourself?
When I don't feel my best — or I'm around people [who] don't play sports, so they don't have muscles like me — what helps me is [to think]: ‘My job is to play soccer and this body helps me make money [and] have fun.’
This is the body that I should be proud of because of what it can do and where it's gotten me. I always remind myself of that when I'm feeling insecure about how my body looks. It can run so fast. It can push past people, and I always remind myself of that to get out of those waves of insecurity.
Who's someone outside your sport — a friend, a stranger, another athlete — who changed how you think about your own limits?
My best friend, [Layla]. She's not in sports — we met in high school. She just gives me a different perspective on life. You can get stuck in this world and everyone having similar opinions — and when I talk to her about life, I feel like she takes the pressure off of me and makes me feel human again.
In sports, it's hard to feel like you're human when you have to work, work, work and be disciplined. She gives me a space to be myself and to understand that I am human and there will be good days and there will be bad days.
Chelsea announced it will be the first UK club to provide a fertility fund to players. What does this type of investment in its athletes mean to you and your teammates?
It means everything. Having that option takes a lot of stress off of us. Even though I'm young, eventually I want to be a mother. Men don't have this issue — they don't have to think about family planning or, "Oh, I'm getting older, so I have to freeze my eggs."
Final Whistle
A handful of fast getting-to-know-you questions, no overthinking required.
Your teammates would describe you as: Giggly.
Something you're weirdly good at that has nothing to do with soccer: Shopping.
Currently watching/reading/listening to: I just finished The Gentlemen on Netflix. So good.
One thing that's always in your bag: Lip gloss.
Your postmatch food order: We don't usually order food. They usually have it at the stadium. In LA, I'd choose In-N-Out, but I haven't found what I like after a game here [in London].
If you weren't an athlete, you'd be a: Teacher.
The teammate most likely to make you laugh when you should absolutely not be laughing is: Ellie Carpenter.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.