Safia Middleton-Patel, the dynamic goalkeeper, is set to represent Wales in the Euro 2025 tournament. Known for her vibrant spirit, insightful nature, and infectious laughter, she also embraces her identity as a person on the autism spectrum.
She faces challenges such as overstimulation, which can leave her drained for days, and social misunderstandings that might linger in her mood for months. Uniquely, she prefers to drive extra miles just to find a gas station with self-service pumps, and in an amusing take, she firmly believes tomatoes are vegetables, regardless of scientific classification.
But above all, the 20-year-old star from Manchester United has emerged as a talented footballer, showcased by her exceptional performance as player of the match in a recent Nations League game against Sweden, where her skillful saves secured a 1-1 draw.
As she heads to Switzerland for the European Championship in July, Wales finds itself in Group D with formidable teams like England, France, and the Netherlands, marking their first major tournament qualification.
Being part of the lowest-ranked squad, if chosen, Safia can expect to be in the heat of the action, and she relies on a distinctive method for reading the game.
“I visualize the next pass as if it’s the exact Lego piece I need,” she shares. “I’m on a quest to find it and position myself correctly, adapting as the game evolves with different strategies, like swapping one Lego brick for another.”
Among the manifestations of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), hyperfocus is a characteristic that many neurodivergent athletes, including Safia, celebrate for fueling their success.
“On the pitch, I’m hyperfocused,” Middleton-Patel explains. “When I’m training or playing, it’s just me and the ball; I’m oblivious to everything else—almost like I can hear my heartbeat more than anything around me.”
This intense concentration provides a much-needed reprieve for her, especially since everyday situations can often feel overwhelming, whether in life or on the field.
“Sitting in a crowd or bench can be hard. I hear all the cheering, the clapping, and even the noise from someone drinking next to me can feel unbearable,” she laughs, recognizing the humor in her sensitivity.
“Sometimes, I have to cover my ears on the bench, and I catch some strange looks, as if to say, ‘Are you a child?’ But really, I’m just trying to focus.”
An experience during an FA Cup game with Manchester United, where the crowd noise became overwhelming due to clackers, led her to rock and drum her fingers in an effort to soothe herself.
“By the end, I had to step away to regain my composure, acknowledging that while I deeply appreciate my fans, I sometimes desperately need quiet time for my mental well-being to avoid affecting my performance throughout the week.”
Finding balance is crucial for her.
“I love my supporters, yet I often dread those interactions because of the pressure I feel to maintain a ‘normal’ persona. A single glance might be misinterpreted, adding stress I don’t want,” she adds.
“It’s tough to convey, ‘I’m genuinely interested, but this situation overwhelms me.’”
Despite her belief in the importance of openly expressing her stimming behaviors, Safia admits that being noticed can heighten her self-awareness, amplifying her discomfort.
“Sometimes, seated among fans, I catch their gaze while rocking in my chair, and it heightens my self-consciousness. I think about how I appear and feel the need to meet certain expectations, which feels exhausting.”
“Why must I perform?” she questions, highlighting her internal struggle with societal expectations.