Introducing Naomi Girma, Soccer's Million-Dollar Star and the Highlight of Burberry's Tribute to Football Enthusiasm.

      On January 26, 2025, Naomi Girma's name etched itself into the annals of women's soccer history. With a transfer agreement with Chelsea F.C., the then-24-year-old from San Jose, California, became the first player ever to be traded for over a million dollars, eternally earning her the title of soccer's million-dollar woman. While others, including Trinity Rodman from the Washington Spirit, have since exceeded that amount, Girma will forever hold the distinction of having broken her sport's seven-figure barrier—an achievement that transformed her sport, her career, and most importantly, her life—and she only celebrated her 26th birthday yesterday. Girma first gained recognition during her college days at Stanford, where she led the Cardinal to triumph in two Pac-12 Championships and one NCAA Championship. Her collegiate success (2018 to 2021) paved the way for San Diego Wave FC to select her first overall in the 2022 National Women’s Soccer League Draft. In her inaugural NWSL season, she was honored as Rookie of the Year, and the accolades continued. When the defender was chosen for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics, she played every minute of the six-game tournament, including the gold-medal match where the U.S. defeated Brazil 1–0. Following a stellar performance at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, she received the 2023 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year Award. Since then, Girma relocated from California to London as part of that landmark four-and-a-half-year contract with Chelsea, having already helped the club advance to the UEFA Women’s Champions League semifinals and the FA Cup final. Now a certified Londoner, the only thing left for her was to feature in a Burberry campaign. Leading up to the 2026 World Cup, Girma teamed up with Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Romeo Beckham, Jodie Turner-Smith, Son Heung-min, Leah Williamson, Eberechi Eze, and others in A Good Sport, the British heritage brand's tribute to football fandom. "Burberry has such a rich legacy," Girma tells Who What Wear. "To experience that through the lens of the sport I love—the energy of match day, the fans, the culture surrounding the game—felt genuinely authentic." Off the pitch, Girma, born in the early 2000s, enjoys many everyday activities typical for her age, like using an LED mask, relaxing at the park with a vanilla latte and a good book, journaling, or watching TV. Learn more about her, from her personal style to her new life in London, below.

      (Image credit: Timothy Hurst/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post/Getty Images; Ali Painter/WSL/The FA/Getty Images; Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images)What initially drew you to play soccer? My parents immigrated to the U.S. from Ethiopia, where soccer is incredibly popular. Witnessing the deep appreciation for the sport in Ethiopian culture helped me develop a love for it as well. I grew up in San Jose, California, where my dad started a grassroots club for kids from the local Ethiopian community to bond over the weekends. I was immediately passionate about it, but it wasn’t until college that I began to seriously consider pursuing it professionally. You made your Olympic debut at the 2024 Games. What were your key takeaways? That summer felt surreal. I’ve always adored the Olympics, as we used to watch it together as a family. A significant lesson was how to handle high-pressure situations. I just reminded myself of my passion for the game, which made those crucial games enjoyable instead. Another takeaway was the importance of teamwork and trusting your teammates. Our team gelled exceptionally well; we had worked closely together and relied on one another, which was instrumental in reaching that stage. For those who may not be soccer enthusiasts, what would you say about the sport? Or what’s the best lesson you've learned from soccer? I would say that soccer is a wonderfully simple sport, yet it possesses great depth. You don’t need much to play—just a ball and some space—which is why it connects people globally. Even if someone isn’t into soccer, they can appreciate the energy, creativity, and emotions involved. The best lesson I’ve gained from soccer is the significance of collaboration. Ability alone isn’t enough; you can’t do it alone. The game teaches you accountability, patience, communication, and how to respond when things don’t go your way. Those lessons extend far beyond the field.

      How would you describe your personal style? If you had to choose three words to define your style, what would they be? I would describe my personal style as relaxed, intentional, and classic. I prefer pieces that feel effortless yet polished—comfortable and easy to move in, but with some structure or detail that makes them unique. If