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Sarah Essam made history in 2017 when she became the first Egyptian to play in the FA Women's Premier League after signing for Stoke City.

However Sarah's journey has not been straightforward and she has overcome a number of obstacles on her path to success.

Sarah grew up in a country where football is considered by many a "boy's game", with Mohamed Salah the country's best-known footballer plying his trade with Premier League club Liverpool.

Not to be put off, football-mad Sarah used to play alongside her brother and his friends, finally winning their praise and respect with her superior skills.

As a young girl, Sarah excelled at multiple sports and was actually better at basketball, but wanted the challenge of proving she could be just as good at football, so concentrated on the latter.

"I’ve put a lot of effort into football, but I never gave up on my university studies," Sarah, who has just celebrated her 21st birthday, told FIFA's official website.

"I’m studying civil engineering in England despite many people telling me it would be difficult to reconcile football and college. I decided to take up the challenge and I continue to do my best on both fronts.

"I want to serve my country by playing professionally, and I also want to earn a college degree for my future." 

Sarah is currently in quarantine in Cairo, and although trying to maintain her fitness levels for when football returns, can reflect on her achievements so far.

The English Women’s National League's top scorer last term, Sarah was also named 2018 Arab Woman of the Year: Achievement in Sport, by the London Arabia Organisation.

Reflecting on this accolade Sarah said, "I’m very proud to have won the award, especially since I’m the first Egyptian to receive this honour. I even got an offer from the BBC to provide commentary on the 2018 CAF Award ceremony that saw Mohamed Salah win the best African player prize.

"I was also part of the commentary team for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations staged in Egypt. These experiences make me more confident to continue working in a variety of fields."

Like her compatriot Salah, Sarah quickly won over Stoke CIty's supporters who have dubbed her 'the Egyptian queen'.

"After Liverpool’s 'Mo chant' became very popular, the Stoke fans started a similar one for me that goes, 'Oh Sarah, the Egyptian queen", she added. "They considered me the female version of Mo, which is great. Nothing beats being called the Egyptian queen". 

Sarah has ignited a new belief among young girls in Egypt that it is possible to follow your dreams in both education and sport.

“I’m so honoured to be able to break a lot of barriers for other girls and I hear that a lot of ­academies have been set up in Egypt since I signed with Stoke," she added. "Not only that, but parents now understand their daughters can achieve their dreams in both education and sport, like I’m doing.

“There will be a bright future for Arab women footballers as long as they believe in themselves and set targets to prove everyone wrong.”

To read Sarah's interview with FIFA.com in full please click here.

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