Aston Villa's Alisha Lehmann "disappointed" by fans who only know her for Instagram | OneFootball

Aston Villa star Alisha Lehmann has expressed frustration at those who only know her because of her Instagram following, rather than her football prowess.

Lehmann has been an integral part of an impressive Villa side this season, with the team currently sitting sixth in the Women’s Super League table.

She has also played for West Ham and Everton, and at the age of 24, has made 34 appearances for Switzerland.

In addition, Lehmann has an astonishing social media following. She boasts 11.6 million followers on Instagram, and 6.5 million followers on TikTok.

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To put this into context, her Instagram following is nearly six times that of the Aston Villa men’s team account. She recently became the most-followed Swiss sportsperson on the social media platform, surpassing Roger Federer.

In an interview with The Times, Lehmann expressed disappointment at her followers who have never actually seen her play football.

What did Alisha Lehmann say about her social media following?

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 20: Alisha Lehmann of Aston Villa during the FA Women's Super League match between Aston Villa and Reading at Villa Park on November 20, 2022 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

“A lot of people only see the social side [of my life, via Instagram] and not actually how I play football,” Lehmann said.

“About this, I’m sometimes disappointed, because I work hard every day. I train every day and I want to be the best player I can be.

“They don’t really know how I play. I’m always saying, ‘Watch a game please’ — and then they’re surprised.”

Lehmann also emphasised the importance of showing it was possible to be traditionally feminine and still play football.

“The message I want to give to people [is] that you can literally be however you want and still play football,” she said. “Use make-up or do the things you like, do your nails, do your eyelashes, and still play football. It’s not a side you have to pick.

“It’s really important that no one changes because people tell you to. When I was younger a lot of people told me, ‘Oh, you can’t wear make-up. You can’t wear your lashes when you play’. At one point I thought, ‘Why not?’ It’s normal and it doesn’t hurt anyone if I do it.

“I feel like we should see this as normal. Because I’m someone that likes it a lot. I want to look really feminine. It’s my passion.”

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 03: Alisha Lehmann of Aston Villa during the FA Women's Super League match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford on December 03, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

Lehmann discussed the moment her Instagram started gaining attention, sparked by a move to England to join West Ham.

“It really started when I played at the Under-19 Euros in Switzerland,” she said. “After that I made the transfer to West Ham. I think that was the turning point, when my Instagram kind of blew up.

“If I am honest, now I don’t feel any different. Maybe you get recognised sometimes a bit more but I don’t feel like I’m special.

“I am a footballer that goes to training every day — it’s nothing crazy cool.”