Order Lia Wälti Products
Which country would you like to order from?
Accompany Lia on her journey to becoming a professional footballer and discover the power that lies within you.
Accompany Lia on her journey to becoming a professional footballer and discover the power that lies within you.
HEY,
I’m Lia and I’m a professional footballer.
I play for Arsenal FC and am the captain of the Swiss national football team.
Even back when I wanted to do an apprenticeship as a nursery teacher, I knew that I wanted to give something back to children one day. Then, I had an idea: I wanted to publish a children’s book. Now I can fulfil this dream together with my sister shortly before the European Championships at home!
“I make a living from playing football. But I want more: My goal is to pave the way to becoming a professional footballer for the next generation.”
A football fairytale based on true events
The book for children aged eight and over tells the partly biographical, partly fictional story of Lia Wälti and how she bravely pursues her dream. It follows Lia from her first steps in football through her everyday life at the football boarding school to the challenges she overcomes together with her friends. The book aims to create female role models and encourage children – especially girls – to play football and show them that they too can achieve great things.
The book is available in German, French, English and Italian.
Order Lia Wälti Products
Which country would you like to order from?
The book is published in collaboration with KALEIO.
Sneak Peek
Lia’s Milestones
Lia Wälti has reached numerous milestones over the course of her career, which have shaped her rise from a talented young player to a leading figure in women’s football.
2007
Admission to the Huttwil football boarding school
Lia takes the first big step and moves to boarding school for her football training.
2011
First international match with the senior national team against Scotland
On August 21, 2011, Lia makes her debut for the Swiss senior national team at the age of 18 – an unforgettable moment.
2013
Certified Commercial Employee Apprenticeship (EFZ)
In addition to football, Lia successfully completes her apprenticeship – a milestone off the pitch.
2013
First professional contract with Turbine Potsdam
On July 1, 2013, the dream comes true: Lia signs her first professional contract with Turbine Potsdam and from then on trains under the legendary Bernd Schröder.
2015
First and historic World Cup qualification for the Swiss women’s national team
Lia celebrates her first World Cup participation with Switzerland – a historic success for local women’s football.
2018
Transfer to Arsenal FC
Lia moves to the Women’s Super League and establishes herself as a key player at Arsenal – in the currently strongest league in the world, where she plays in front of thousands of fans for the first time.
2025
Publication of the children’s book and home European Championship in Switzerland
Lia publishes her first children’s book and experiences an absolute career highlight with the home European Championship in Switzerland.
About the authors: Meret and Lia Wälti
Meret is Lia’s sister and works as a (copy)writer and proofreader. She used to play football in the highest Swiss league herself. Meret didn’t just love football though – she was also interested in the social and political topics connected to it.
While Lia played on the field, Meret spent her time writing, traveling, and studying. But no matter what went on in their lives, football has always brought them together, and they both know that the sport is about much more than just playing the game.
Their first children’s book emerged from precisely this conviction.
“Lia shares her experiences, Meret finds the right words – as different as they are, they pursue the same vision.”
Our fairy tale
book partners
Creating a children’s book like this in four languages is not something we can do alone. That’s why we looked for strong partners who believe in the idea, support it and make it possible with their know-how and support.
KALEIO
“Lia’s Football Journey – Chasing the Dream” is published with KALEIO. We share the same vision: girls should be allowed to grow up without making themselves small. For that they need positive role models.KALEIO is a non-profit cooperative from Basel that has been publishing the empowering print magazine “KALEIO for girls (and the rest of the world)” since 2020.
Mireille Lachausse
Mireille Lachausse, illustrator and comic artist from Lausanne, illustrated “Lia’s Football Journey”. Mireille really breathed life into the text. With her drawings, she brings Lia’s story to life and makes it more tangible – as if you were in the middle of the action yourself!
Vögeli Druckerei
Vögeli AG is considered the most sustainable printing company in Switzerland and is the first printing company in the world to set new standards for sustainable production with the Cradle-to-Cradle® Gold certification. It is a special honour for us to have our book printed in Switzerland and especially by a company in our hometown.
Become part of Lia’s football fairy-tale and order your copy now!
Order Lia Wälti Products
Which country would you like to order from?
Lia’s Football Journey is published
in collaboration with KALEIO
Lia‘s Football Journey is supported by:
