As far as inspirational figures in women's football go, there a few more qualified for that status than current Barcelona forward Toni Duggan.

The England international has an impressive list of achievements on the pitch that match her positive attitude to developing women's sport off it.

Duggan began her career at Everton Ladies and was named the FA Women's Young Player of the Year in 2009, the England Women's Under-23 Player of the Year in 2012, and the North West Female Player of the Year in 2013. 

But, growing up, it was Liverpool players that inspired a young Duggan to take up football and her female inspirations from her youth aren't all athletes.

She said: “I was a Liverpool fan when I was younger, so obviously Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard, they were big role-models for me. The way Steven Gerrard led the team, the way he carried himself, the way he was on and off the pitch was really important.

“I think my mum was really inspirational when I was younger, obviously she was really important to me. But then the likes of Serena Williams, I’d even say like Beyonce you know like people in the music industry as well can be really important figures as well as female athletes.

“I think Ronda Rousey is a massive figure for women in sport, she’s really important and inspirational to people like myself and other people around the world.”

The responsibility of female sports stars to continue the upward trajectory of women's sport through achievement and participation is an issue that is close to Duggan's heart.

"I think individually and collectively as teams, the rise of the NWSL, the success of the England netball team, the cricket team, I think women’s sport is really on the up.

"Of course, the individual success of Jessica Ennis and Serena Williams and Ronda Rousey – all these household names - probably never thought when they were little girls that they would get to this stage.

"But it is important that we keep building, we keep pushing women in sport and keep the inspirational figures for young girls and give bigger and better opportunities to them in the next few years."

In July 2017, Toni Duggan became the first English player to join Barcelona since Gary Lineker moved to the Nou Camp in 1986. 

She was snapped up by Barcelona as they began to recognise the need for increased investment in the women's game and she's now looking positively towards her second season with the Catalan club.

“Yeah I’m really enjoying it. I’ve been home for five or six weeks to catch up with friends and family, but next week it’s back to pre-season training and I’m really excited, really looking forward to it.

"If we’re speaking about how far the women’s game has come – the women’s team are travelling to America with the men’s team for the first time in two weeks which is really exciting.

“A club like Barcelona, they do push the boundaries with the women’s team with the men’s, so I’m really proud to be a part of it.

“Obviously it’s more technical (in Spain), it’s their philosophy, it has taken my game to the next level and I’m really enjoying it and it’s really challenging me.

“It was a big decision even for me, leaving my friends, my family, although I have the support. I’m not really sure why male and female (English) players don’t go abroad more, but moving has made me a better player and also a better person, learning a new culture and learning a new language.

"Everyone’s situation is different, and when the time comes, you know if it’s for you, it doesn’t make you better or worse if you stay in your own country or move, but for me the time was right.”

Duggan smashed boundaries at Manchester City in August 2015 as she became the first female player to receive their Goal of the Season award following an impressive strike against Chelsea. Now she will come up against her old club in August for a pre-season friendly.

“Yeah I can’t wait, I have so many great memories at Manchester City, but now I’m at Barcelona - it’ll be great to go back and see how they’ve developed in the last year and to show my new team off.

"I’ll never say never (to returning to Manchester), the English league is on the up and it’s a great league, but I’m enjoying my time in Spain. I’m not really thinking about the next year I’m just focused on winning the league with Barcelona and winning the World Cup with England.”

On the subject of the World Cup, Duggan feels positive about England's chances in 2019 and about working with head-coach Phil Neville.

“Yeah obviously for us in football, the World Cup and the European Championships are our platform for inspiring the next generation and we certainly did that at the last World Cup. At the next one, we’ll certainly be looking to do the same again.

“(Phil Neville) is doing good. He’s a winner and I think he’s settled in well to the group, he’s a great person and he’s got some banter as well which helps.

"He’s been good so far and on the pitch you can see his qualities and his discipline. The little things like cleaning up after yourself he’s massive on and time keeping he’s massive on and you can see why he was so successful with Manchester United.

"I think obviously off the back of the men’s World Cup everyone in this country is on a high at the minute. Over the last few years women’s sport has continued to grow and the next World Cup will be a platform for us to keep pushing those boundaries, keep inspiring young girls.

"It’s a big occasion and one we can’t wait to get started.”

England and Barcelona star Toni Duggan swaps spot-kicks for drop-kicks to celebrate the announcement of Ronda Rousey as a pre-order bonus character for WWE 2K19, launching October 9th on PS4, Xbox One and PC