French-born defender Bénédicte Simon has described her maiden Black Queens call-up as a deeply emotional moment, revealing she immediately phoned her mother after seeing her name on the squad list.
The Servette FC right-back, who arrived in the Queens’ Birmingham camp ahead of next week’s international friendly against England, said finally earning a Ghana call-up fulfilled a long-held dream.
“It was like a dream because it’s been a long time that I wanted to come here,” she said in a conversation with the team’s media.
“When I saw my name, I said, ‘Oh!’ I called my mother and I said, ‘I’m in the list.’ I was so happy.”
Simon, born in France to Ghanaian parents, has represented top clubs across Europe, including Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, Atlético Madrid, Valencia and Sassuolo. But she insists that wearing Ghana’s colours carries a unique emotional weight.
“For me, Ghana means a lot of things,” she said. “It’s my motherland, so I’m happy to be here. It’s an honour.”
Her arrival has been warmly received within the group, with teammates congratulating her on a long-awaited decision to represent Ghana. The 27-year-old defender said the welcome eased what could have been a nervous transition.
“My teammates are so nice and they were happy for my first call,” she said. “It made me feel comfortable.”
Simon’s call-up adds valuable competition on the flanks as the Black Queens continue their preparation for next year’s major assignments. For the player herself, finally stepping into the Ghana shirt represents the beginning of a new national chapter — one rooted in pride, connection and family.
