Former Swedish national team captain Caroline Seger has revealed her long-term relationship with fellow player Olivia Schough, marking a significant moment for both her personal life and the visibility of LGBTQ+ athletes.
For seven years, Seger, 39, kept her relationship with Schough, 33, under wraps. The couple, who have played together for both the national team and club team Rosengård, became engaged recently.
Seger disclosed their relationship during the TV4 documentary "Kapten Seger." She expressed relief about maintaining this privacy, stating, "It’s quite nice to have had the respect considering we haven’t been interested in all the fuss about whether it had come out." The documentary sheds light on their enduring partnership, highlighting how both have navigated their careers alongside their romantic relationship.
Internet users and viewers were quick to respond to the intimate portrayal of Seger’s life – especially since she is Sweden's most capped player with 240 matches for her country. After retiring from professional football, her decision to finally share personal aspects of her life reflects her growth and newfound perspective.
But why did the couple choose now to reveal their love? Seger addressed this question candidly, admitting, "I know I, as a person, want to please everyone, and I want everyone to like me. It might sound strange, but if I’m not a certain way, people lose respect, or I won’t be the role model everyone expects me to be." This reflects the common struggles many LGBTQ+ individuals face, feeling the weight of societal expectations.
Seger also shared her continuing discomfort with public perception and her gradual approach to living authentically. She noted, "I think I’ve suppressed much about living openly. When I first came out and said I liked girls, there was still silence on many fronts. Even today, you (Olivia) are more open than I am. I would never not introduce Olivia as my girlfriend, but I can feel uneasy at times."
Caroline Seger concluded her illustrious career last fall, cementing her legacy with impressive accolades, including two Olympic silver medals, one Champions League title, and seven Swedish championships. The documentary "Kapten Seger" provides not just insights about her relationship but also about her life after football, as she ventures toward new opportunities.
With her candid revelations, Seger has also sparked discussions around representation and acceptance for LGBTQ+ athletes within sports. Discussions about balancing personal and professional lives, especially for public figures, are becoming increasingly relevant.
Following the premiere of "Kapten Seger" on Christmas Day, conversations around her experiences are expected to continue growing, encouraging other athletes and individuals to embrace their lives within and beyond the constraints of societal labels.
For Seger, the future looks promising—she says, "I have very open eyes" on what lies next after football.