Aqsa Mushtaq
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Aqsa Mushtaq | ||
| Date of birth | August 15, 1998 | ||
| Place of birth | Bradford, England | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder / Winger | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | OFI Crete W.F.C. | ||
| Number | 12 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Bradford City Academy | |||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2017–2020 | Lenoir–Rhyne University | 17 | (13) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2020–2021 | SSD Napoli Femminile | ||
| 2022–2023 | Avantes Chalkidasc | ||
| 2023– | OFI Crete W.F.C. | ||
| International career | |||
| 2025– | Pakistan | 2 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Aqsa Mushtaq (born 15 August 1998) is an English-born footballer of Pakistani heritage who plays as a winger or attacking midfielder for OFI Crete W.F.C. and the Pakistan women's national football team.
Early life & education
Born and raised in Bradford, England, to a Pakistani family, Mushtaq joined Bradford City’s youth academy. She later moved to the U.S. to attend Lenoir–Rhyne University (2017–2020), where she scored 13 goals in 17 games and was named South Atlantic Conference Player of the Year 2019–20.[1]
Club career
In August 2020, Mushtaq became the first player of Pakistani descent to sign a professional contract in Italy, joining SSD Napoli Femminile.[2]
She later joined Greek club Avantes Chalkidasc, where she earned league MVP honors. In July 2024, she signed for OFI Crete W.F.C., scoring 10 goals and registering 8 assists in her first season.[3]
International career
In June 2025, Mushtaq was named in the Pakistan squad for the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup qualification, as part of the national team’s strategic inclusion of overseas talent.[4]
Style of play
Mushtaq is a left-footed winger known for her technical dribbling, vision, and passing. In a 2023 interview, she described her game as “quick, technical and composed,” and named Steven Gerrard as her inspiration.[5]
Personal life
Mushtaq supports Liverpool F.C. and admires former captain Steven Gerrard. She has visited Pakistan multiple times and remains closely connected to her heritage.[6]
Mushtaq is featured in the British South Asians in Football timeline compiled by Sky Sports, marking her contributions to the sport and her historic signing in Italy.[7]
References
- ^ "Aqsa Mushtaq signs first pro contract with Napoli Women". SprintMG. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
- ^ "Aqsa Mushtaq signs for Napoli Femminile". SprintMG. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
- ^ "South Asians in Football Weekly: Aqsa Mushtaq completes OFI Crete move". Sky Sports. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
- ^ "Pakistan squad to feature diaspora players for Women's Asia Cup qualifiers". The News International. 13 June 2025. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
- ^ "Women and Football – Interview with Napoli's Aqsa Mushtaq". The Cult of Calcio. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
- ^ "Interview: Aqsa Mushtaq on identity, football, and dreams". The Cult of Calcio. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
- ^ "South Asians in Football Weekly – Aqsa Mushtaq in focus". Sky Sports. Retrieved July 5, 2025.