Switzerland’s UEFA Women’s EURO campaign is over, but Sydney Schertenleib’s journey is just beginning

When the UEFA Women’s EURO in Switzerland came calling, Sydney Schertenleib knew she had to deliver. The eighteen-year-old young prospect made her major tournament debut on home soil. The Swiss international is emerging as a rising star of the game.

Not only is the young player shining for her country, but also for her club, FC Barcelona Femení. During her time in Spain, she has contributed to the retaining several accolades: Liga F feminine Champions, the Copa de la Reina, and Supercopa feminina trophies. With such a successful Spanish club, making her mark on the team is no easy challenge.

There is a bright future ahead of Schertenleib. With so much success already in her journey, she is a talented and exciting young player to follow.  

Club career

In 2024, Schertenleib was approached by Barcelona, securing her dream signing during her youth. Since, she has secured minutes for both their A and B teams, allowing her to reach new levels in her performance. This opportunity comes with great success, as her trophy cabinet is already filling up after two seasons in Spain.

One standout moment of her club career so far is the UEFA Women’s Champions League final. Falling at the final hurdle was not expected for the Spanish Champions; however, Schertenleib thrived when she stepped on the pitch throughout the tournament. In their Champions League campaign, she made three appearances, which consisted of fifty-three minutes in total. Despite being a substitute, she netted a goal to help her team reach the final.

However, in the Spanish league her statistics pay credit to her hard work and determination. Across fifteen matches, the young forward contributed to retaining their top spot with six-hundred-and-sixty-one minutes. Barcelona dominated the league, proving a huge threat to the other clubs. Schertenleib certainly added to this with a goal and three assists to her name, as a result of her technical ability and fast pace runs into the box.

Now fully immersed into the first team football, her game will progress to the next level as the new season approaches. Barcelona will push Schertenleib to reach her maximum potential, with a plan to integrate her into the starting eleven as a key component to their 2025/26 season campaign.  

The heart of Swiss youth

Schertenleib is at the heart of Swiss football. Despite being one of the youngest squad members, she was selected for the starting eleven consistently throughout the EUROs.

Looking further into her statistics, her contributions are unmatched by her teammates. Against fellow midfielders she has an average of a 91.6% pass completion rate per game; this allows her to be a successful player through the channels. Her width and passing accuracy elevates Switzerland’s possession and buildup play towards the opponent’s box. Often, the nation’s rising star showcases her versatility in style of play, whether this be producing goals herself or creating chances for her teammates. Usually, her assists come from counter-attacking opportunities and her exceptional forward vision.

Schertenleib is often compared to the Swiss captain, Lia Wälti, and is recognised as the future of Swizterland. Often the two are compared due to their similar vision on the pitch. Both players tend to dart in free pockets on the pitch to increase their chances of not only receiving but also completing monumental passes. In the second match of the group stages this summer, Schertenleib showcased her ability when she assisted Geraldine Reuteler in the seventy-sixth minute.

In a recent press conference, the captain spoke on the young prospect after Arsenal’s success in the Champions League. She stated “I’m not worried about her. she’s so young, so talented.” Wälti believes in Schertenleib and her future with the Swiss National Team. Her fresh talent and capabilities are apparent, and improvie every time she steps onto the international stage.

Her future with the national team

Fans and spectators have recognised the rising star’s talent and prospect during the EUROs and are beginning to question whether she should be starting consecutive matches.

Head coach, Pia Sundhage started the youngster in two of three group stage fixtures, where she became a key player in their buildup of play and set piece tactics. Schertenleib often takes free kicks and corners, relied on by her teammates to produce a strong delivery into the box. This is another element of her game that considers her to be at the heart of this Switzerland side. Whether she drives the ball forward on the wing or sits in pockets of space to maintain possession, Schertenleib drives to perform and secure her starting position.

Meanwhile her talented long balls also make elevate her position as a standout player. Her confidence to take long-range shots is admired: in fact, these are usually on target from distance. As an opponent, Schertenleib is feared and studied; she is a challenging and intimidating footballer due to her presence in the front three. When unmarked, she is a fierce and unpredictable player, ultimately questioning whether she should be considered as the Young Player of the EURO 2025.

Her potential with Barcelona

However, these standout performances could also affect her progression with Barcelona. Recently, she has become an impact substitute for the Spanish Champions. Despite her lack of selection for the starting eleven, she proves her potential and ability to change the game when she is given the opportunity to come on in the second half. Fans, however, are demanding more minutes for the youthful forward following her outstanding form in her home EUROs.

Although not being in the toughest of groups in the tournament, the Swiss pushed themselves hard to secure qualification to the final eight. Schertenleib puts her body on the line for Switzerland and always puts her best foot forward to achieve success. Major tournaments are seen as an opportunity for players to prove themselves, often resulting in record-breaking transfers between big clubs. This situation is different for the Swiss forward, as she is already contracted with one of the most decorated sides in the women’s game.

Whilst Schertenleib captured the attention of many fans in Switzerland, the staff at Barcelona will have been monitoring her minutes in the major tournament. Her prowess on the wing and new level to her game could see her emerge into a starting position at club level.

On the back of huge success at her first home EUROs, could she be Barcelona’s young star next season?