A Historic Move to Como

"I'm super critical of myself, so an individual sport was not the right thing for me," Tessa Wullaert once reflected on her early days balancing football with tennis and an internship in tourism. Years later, that relentless self-criticism and drive have propelled her to the absolute summit of world football. In July 2026, the 33-year-old Red Flames captain made history once again by departing Inter Milan to sign a two-year deal with Como 1907, officially becoming the highest-paid player in the history of Italian women's football.

Como's Head of Women's Football, Heather O'Reilly, hailed the transfer as a landmark moment: "Tessa is a major signing for us. She is a proven goalscorer and leader, and for her to choose Como as the next step in her career is a great compliment to us." Upon signing, Wullaert made her intentions crystal clear: "I'm really happy to be here, and I hope to bring goals and assists to this team. I'm here to win games. I always give everything, and I'm always ready to improve and become the best version of myself."

A Legend Beyond Numbers

Wullaert's resume reads like a chronicle of broken records. Having made her senior debut for Belgium back in August 2011 against Russia, she surpassed Aline Zeler as the Red Flames' all-time leading goalscorer before matching and ultimately overtaking Romelu Lukaku's all-time Belgian scoring mark. In March 2026, Wullaert entered elite territory by scoring a hat-trick against Israel to cross the threshold of 100 international goals, becoming only the seventh European female player in football history to reach that milestone.

Her club journey has been equally impressive, spanning dominant spells across Europe—from SV Zulte Waregem, Standard Liège, and Anderlecht in Belgium, to VfL Wolfsburg in Germany (where she won domestic league titles), Manchester City in England (winning the FA Cup), Fortuna Sittard in the Netherlands, and Inter Milan in Serie A. In January 2026, she collected her sixth Belgian Women's Golden Shoe award, setting a new record that surpasses even Paul Van Himst's legendary tally of four men's Golden Shoes.

Leadership, Mentality, and Impact

Beyond her stunning statistics, Wullaert's personality and leadership define her legacy. As captain of the Red Flames, she embraces the weight of expectation with poise. "Being captain is a big responsibility, of course. The players look to you in all the big moments," Wullaert shared. Off the pitch, she has consistently used her platform to advocate for gender equality in sports and serve as a Special Olympics ambassador.

Now recognized among the world's elite with her 2026 Ballon d'Or nomination, Wullaert arrives in Como at the peak of her powers, ready to lead Serie A's ambitious project with her signature mantra: Smile, Focus, Work.