Swedish women's football team prints empowering messages on jerseys

The campaign hopes to 'inspire and motivate women to show that everything is possible'

Ahead of Algarve cup, the Sweden’s women football team debuted their jerseys that had powerful messages advocating women empowerment on the back in place of player names.

The team, which finished second at the 2016 Olympics Games in Rio, collaborated with the Swedish Football Association for the campaign, hoping that it will “inspire and motivate women to show that everything is possible”.



The back of the Swedish captain’s shirt reads a quote from Gudrun Schyman: “Never look down on someone unless it is to help her up”, while quotes from artist Zara Larsson, “Believe in your damn self”, journalist Frida Soderlund’s “To try is to be successful. The result is secondary as long as you dare” and stand-up comedian Karin Adelskold’s “Women want different things” have been adopted by some of the players.

Never look down on someone unless you're helping her up. #IDittNamn #Adidas #SweWNT @gudschy pic.twitter.com/T9sfZbszXB

— Lotta Schelin (@L8schelin) February 28, 2017

Jag har valt att lyfta ett citat från @agnes_lo_ eftersom att jag spelar fotboll för alla de som inte kan. Eller får. #IDittNamn pic.twitter.com/4coFpE3Thi

— Magdalena Eriksson (@MagdaEricsson) February 28, 2017

Vi är med i The Statement Equipment. Jag har valt texten: "I believe women can do anything they decide to". #IDittNamn pic.twitter.com/0juDdtaliZ

— Fridolina Rolfö (@FridolinaRolfo) March 1, 2017

“The national team shirt is an important symbol and it constantly reminds us that we can win whatever game it is in whatever competitions,” said Captain Lotta Schelin. “I think it is great that we can join forces with other strong women and that we together can show that everything is possible. There is always a need to show young women that it is possible to succeed and that no one should feel limited in what they can achieve and particularly not because of their sex.”



“The initiative is first and foremost to, with the help of the national team, highlight the power that comes with doing things together and the women’s team’s success is a good example of that. We also hope that it can inspire people to stand up for each other, notwithstanding who you are or where you come from,” added the communication director at the Swedish Football Association, Niklas Bodell.

This article originally appeared on the Guardian.