Irene Paredes

“To perform to your best, you obviously need to train well, but you also need a whole load of things beyond that: you need to rest properly, eat the right food, enjoy your free time… I need to be with my son, and he needs to be with me. Until now, it’s not something that had been considered, maybe because the situation hadn’t arisen. But I’m thankful for it.”

“That aside, my experience is that of any mother or father - it’s about organising your life and relishing the time you spend with him. Bringing him up the best you can.”

“Being a mother changes your life.”

“When you’ve experienced this before, you’re less likely to let things faze you. It gives you a certain peace of mind when you go out and compete.”

“Everything around us has an influence too. Knowing your loved ones are OK has an impact on your play. Having them here with me is hugely beneficial, and I hope it shows on the pitch.”

“When a child is that young, you need him, but he also needs you”