U.S. women’s national soccer team defender Ali Krieger is fit, strong, and one heck of an athlete:
But while her tenacity on the field is undeniable, she showed an entirely different type of courage when she decided to pose nude for the forthcoming ESPN The Magazine‘s Body Issue 2015 (on newsstands July 10):
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“I’m proud of my body, I’m proud of my sport, I’m proud of being a female athlete,†she tells ESPN. “Being naked is just another aspect of that. It’s real. It’s raw. It’s honest.â€
Ali admits to harboring some insecurities (she’s only human), calling her calves and thighs big. But she says that she embraces them: “I’ve trained since I was 6 years old to play soccer, and this is just the type of body I have,†she tells the publication. “I’m proud of my thighs because they’ve gotten me to where I am today and give me the power that I have to play my best.â€
We love your body pride and honesty, Ali!
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Ali and the rest of Team USA take on China in the Women’s World Cup quarterfinals tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET on FOX.
Gif via giphy.com