Three ACL tears. 386 days off the pitch. A journey from Connecticut to Israel to Portugal. This is her story.

Athlete Vanity  ·  Women’s Month Feature  ·  March 2026

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Leah Lewis plays as a defender for SC Braga in Portugal’s top women’s football division. She is one of the most resilient athletes we’ve ever spoken to.

Leah tore her ACL three separate times. She spent 386 days away from the pitch. And she still refuses to let anything end her story.

For Women’s Month, Leah Lewis is our second feature: an SC Braga defender who has proven thrice that nothing can stop her. Originally from Connecticut, USA, football took her from Tel Aviv to Braga. We connected virtually to talk about her journey every step of the way.

Q: You returned to play after 386 days away from the pitch. Few athletes experience that kind of comeback. What mental shift did you need? How did recovery change your view of your career?

I actually went through this same process twice before — at 15 and 16 years old. So it was nothing new to me.

This time felt different though. I’m older now. Football isn’t just a hobby, it’s my career. When I found out I tore my ACL again, I felt upset, but I viewed it as a necessary break my body needed.

As time went on, doctors didn’t clear me to play. That was the hard part. I put in all the work but didn’t see results. After surgery, I grew an even greater appreciation for the game. I realized I’m not invincible. To be honest, I also learned that there is more to life than football.

Q: You’ve spoken openly about the physical and mental toll of recovery. Why did you share that journey publicly? What do you hope other athletes take from it?

A lot of girls and women go through this same process. In women’s football, ACL tears have skyrocketed. If I reach at least one person and convince them not to give up, I feel I’ve done my job.

I went through this process three times. I am a testimony of accomplishing your dreams despite the setbacks. It feels difficult both mentally and physically, but when you step back on that field, it’s worth every minute.

Q: How did you end up at SC Braga? How has the Portuguese league shaped you as a defender?

My first professional contract took me to Israel. I went from Tel Aviv straight to Braga. I’m from Connecticut, USA.

One big difference between US and Portuguese football is the tactical and technical side. I developed a lot in both areas. I look at the game in a completely different way since moving to Portugal.

Q: As a Black woman playing professional football in Portugal, what has your experience been? Do you feel representation is changing?

Portugal is a diverse country. It has a lot of African influence due to its proximity to the continent.

Black women now have more representation in these spaces. But it can be greater! Big names like Jessica Silva and Diana Silva already pave the way for young Black athletes. Seeing Black women here will hopefully inspire Black girls to chase their dreams too.

Q: What drives you most and where do you see your career heading next?

Competition drives me the most. I love to compete and I love to win! I see myself still pushing the limits of where my career can go.

Q: For Women’s Month — what would you tell young girls who dream of going professional but face tough setbacks?

An injury isn’t the end of the dream. It’s a key part of your journey. Recovery teaches you discipline and patience. It gives you time to get stronger — as an athlete and a person.

It’s normal to feel emotional and left behind. Those moments honestly made me a better competitor.

“An injury isn’t the end of the dream. It’s a key part of your journey.”

Your dreams are worth chasing even beyond borders. Leah Lewis understood something many athletes take years to grasp. A setback is never the end of the story. It’s just a chapter.

As a Black woman in European football, Leah Lewis leads the way for young girls coming behind her. From Connecticut to Israel to SC Braga, she shows that great things happen when you refuse to quit.

Follow Leah’s journey on Instagram: @leahlew_

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