By OkayGoal 
The French women’s national team is stacked with talent, and one of its brightest stars is San Diego Wave forward Delphine Cascarino. At just 28, Cascarino is still in her prime and has plenty left to give. Before joining the Wave, she made her mark at Olympique Lyonnais, where she built a legacy as one of the club’s most dynamic players. With her incredible skill and relentless drive, Cascarino is a player worth watching—and knowing.
The Start of It All
Delphine Cascarino was born in Saint-Priest, near Lyon, and grew up with a twin sister named Estelle, who is also a soccer player, currently playing for Juventus.
A little-known fact about Cascarino is that she had another passion before soccer: rugby. Her love for the game shifted to soccer at the age of 11 when she joined a local club called AS Saint-Priest in 2006. This step marked the beginning of a great chapter in her life, the one at Lyon. Cascarino’s talent was enough to allow her to join Lyon’s youth academy in 2009.
A Lyon Legacy
Cascarino fit right in at Lyon. Her success at their academy led to her being selected for the first team in 2014-2015. She signed her first pro contract in 2015. Her impact goes beyond just impressive goal stats—she also spent an incredible 15 years at the French club. During that time, Cascarino made 223 appearances, scoring 45 goals.
Another jaw-dropping figure is the titles she won with the club. During her time there, the forward won 23 titles. These include nine league titles, six Women’s Champions League titles, two International Champions Cups, and three Tournoi de France titles. It was a sad time for the club’s fans when Cascarino tore her ACL in May 2023. She, however, returned to the game like she never left, contributing to the team’s numbers in the Champions League upon her return.
Aside from her titles with Lyon, Cascarino also received several titles individually. She was named to the FIFA FIFPro World 11 list in 2020. Additionally, she was named the Champions League Final MVP. The French national was also part of the Team of the Year several times.
A Bold Leap to San Diego
Delphine Cascarino has achieved nearly everything possible during her time at Lyon. No one can blame her for wanting a change. This change came in July 2024 when Cascarino signed a three-year contract with the NWSL’s San Diego Wave. She told The San Diego Union-Tribune why she left. “I decided to leave Lyon because I had been playing there since I was 12 years old,” she said. Cascarino also said that she only knew Lyon, and she did have a great time with them. She wanted, however, to “experience something new, to discover a new league.”
Just like she needed the move, San Diego Wave needed her. She was the kind of player the Wave needed as they embarked on a journey of improvement after a string of disappointing performances. “Delphine is a world-class player in the prime of her career. Her experiences at both the club and national team level will be invaluable to this team,” said San Diego Wave FC Sporting Director and General Manager Camille Ashton, according to the Wave’s official website.
Wanting More
So far this season, Cascarino has scored three goals and has a league-leading five assists. She is proving why exactly they brought her in, especially since she has previously earned NWSL Player of the Week and was named in April’s Best XI.
When Cascarino enters the pitch, fans are depending on her to score. She usually does, and she wants more. “I want to be a great player. I want to score a lot, Cascarino said to Mirror U.S. Sports. “I want to help the team to win the championship.”
Playing for France
A player like Delphine Cascarino not only shines on the club level but also on the national level. The French national was part of the U-17 team that won the World Cup in 2012. Back then, Cascarino had three assists. This marked the beginning of the road that led her to join the senior team, which she did in 2016. So far, the forward has made over 70 appearances with the national team, scoring 14 goals.
Still Writing Her Story
All these stages of Delphine Cascarino’s life have shaped the kind of player she has become at the age of 28. She proved herself at Lyon and also asserted that she can find success every year over the span of 15 years. The move to San Diego Wave is a new chapter in Cascarino’s career. It shows her adaptability. She still has more things to achieve, whether on the club level or the national level, and she will always be someone to watch.
Featured image via Getty Images
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