Frida Maanum: 'You realise how fragile life can be'
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
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When Arsenal’s Frida Maanum collapsed on the pitch, she didn’t know if she’d ever be able to play again. Now, with a UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 quarter-final beckoning, the Norwegian reflects on the highs and lows of her journey.
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On 31 March 2024, as the Women's League Cup final between Arsenal and Chelsea entered stoppage time, the game was paused for nearly 10 minutes. Arsenal’s Frida Maanum was surrounded by paramedics, being treated on the field after collapsing.
Maanum, thankfully, went on to make a full recovery, but the Norwegian continues to feel the impact of that day.
"It’s obviously hard when something like that happens and you don’t know when – or even if – you’ll be able to get back on the pitch," reflects Maanum. "Being able to play football again is not something I take for granted."
Maanum has undoubtedly made the most of that opportunity. Not only has she since claimed a UEFA Women’s Champions League winner’s medal with Arsenal, but is currently preparing for a Women’s EURO 2025 quarter-final clash against Italy.
Highs and lows
Maanum’s tough but ultimately rewarding journey back to playing and eventually to Women’s EURO 2025 is somewhat befitting of the tournament’s theme: the Summit of Emotions.
"The lowest point I’ve had in football is definitely the experience of collapsing on the pitch," she says. "It was painful and difficult for a long time after, but winning the Champions League is absolutely the biggest thing I’ve ever experienced on a football pitch – the biggest thing I’ve experienced in life, really – and it means a lot to be able to play in the EURO," she says. "It’s not something I thought would be possible a year ago."
"It’s something I’ve dreamt about since I was a child. It’s the biggest thing you can achieve as a footballer at club level. To experience that just a year after what happened made it perhaps even more special for me."
Maanum has started all three of Norway’s group games in Switzerland, scoring two goals as they finished top of their group to set up the knockout tie with Italy. She is relishing the chance to represent her country on Europe’s biggest stage.
"It’s really special to be part of a tournament that’s reached completely new heights." says Maanum. "I’ve taken part in two previous EUROs and seen the development and how women’s football has taken steps forward along the way."
A new perspective
Maanum’s experiences have resulted in a change of approach not just to her career, but to life more widely.
"My perspective on football has changed in many ways, and my perspective on life has changed a lot too, because you realise how fragile it can be," she says. "I’m grateful for every chance to step onto the pitch and perform, and to be able to do what I love."
Regardless of whether Wednesday’s match marks the end of Maanum’s Women’s EURO 2025 journey, the positive mindset she has taken from a dark time is set to endure.
"Maybe in one way or another, I’ve relaxed a bit," she reflects. "I just try to enjoy every moment because you never know when things might suddenly change, or when you might not get the chance to do it anymore."
Protecting the health of everyone in European football
Our medical regulations set the highest standards for the health and safety of everyone involved in European football – for UEFA competitions and the estimated 2,500 professional matches that take place across the continent every season. Our minimum medical requirements ensure that no UEFA match kicks off without the equipment and medical services required to deal with incidents that might threaten lives or cause permanent injury, including pitchside doctors and defibrillators.
