When Canadians think of Desiree Scott, they think of grit, leadership and the fearless midfielder affectionately known as “The Destroyer.” But long before she stood atop an Olympic podium, the soccer legend was navigating a different kind of battle—one that had nothing to do with the game itself.
Like so many girls in sport, Scott was subjected to comments about her body instead of praise for her talent. Today, she’s using her voice to help ensure the next generation experiences sport for what it should be: a place of confidence, belonging and joy.
As part of Dove’s #TheGameIsOurs campaign during the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Scott is encouraging girls to stay in the game—and reminding them that their bodies are defined by what they can do, not how they look.
“The comments said far more about other people than they did about me,” Scott tells VITA. “I remember hearing things like, ‘You have tree trunks for legs,’ or being told I was too thick or too short. At the time, those words stayed with me. But the strongest lesson I’ve learned is that the body I was criticized for is the same body that helped me compete for Canada, win an Olympic gold medal and build a career doing what I love.”
That perspective didn’t come overnight. Scott says choosing joy over criticism became a decision she made repeatedly throughout her career.
“There wasn’t one defining moment,” she says. “Every time I heard criticism, I had to decide whether to focus on the noise or on how much I loved playing. What kept winning was the feeling I got every time I stepped onto the field with my teammates. Looking back, choosing joy over outside opinions is probably one of the most important decisions I made.”
Despite becoming one of Canada’s most decorated soccer players, Scott admits confidence has always been something she has actively worked to protect.
“My worth was never tied to a comment, a headline or someone else’s opinion,” she says. “I’ve learned to value myself for who I am, the teammate I am and the effort I bring every day, rather than allowing outside voices to define me.”
It’s a message she hopes resonates with every girl watching this summer’s FIFA World Cup.
“You belong. Full stop,” Scott says. “There is no one way to look or be an athlete. If you love the game, that is enough. Don’t let anyone convince you that you need to change who you are to earn your place.”
For Scott, sport has always been about far more than medals.
“I hope girls see passion, resilience and the importance of being a great teammate,” she says. “The medals are incredible, but what sport gave me was confidence, friendships, purpose and a sense of belonging. You don’t have to be perfect to belong in sport.”
That’s what made partnering with Dove such a natural fit.
“I know what it’s like to have people focus on how you look instead of what you can do,” she says. “If sharing my story helps even one girl realize she doesn’t need to change herself to belong in sport, then that’s something I wanted to be part of.”
Her vision for the future is simple but powerful: create spaces where girls are celebrated for their effort, strength and resilience—not their appearance.
“The focus should always be on what girls can do, not what they look like,” Scott says. “I hope every girl walks away believing in herself, focusing on what her body can do and knowing she has every right to take up space in the game she loves.” —Noa Nichol
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