Lily Aldridge ''always thought'' she'd be a soccer player.

The Victoria's Secret model has revealed her passion growing up was playing soccer rather than fashion.

She said: ''I always thought I was going to be a soccer player, get a scholarship to college and then join the U.S. women's team.

''Mia Hamm was my role model. I still look up to her.''

The 29-year-old star also admitted her competitive edge came out when she got involved in the game.

She added: ''That's when I got really competitive. I was nervous to play them, because I'd been talking about soccer all day.

''It felt great to be on the field. Being around athletes makes me feel very comfortable.''

In fact, Lily enjoyed getting back into her athletic kit for the accompanying photo shoot as she thinks powerful and strong women are the ''most beautiful thing in the world''.

She added to Self magazine: ''It's different for me to get to be athletic and look like the strong woman I am.

''I think women athletes are incredibly strong and powerful, and to me that's the most beautiful thing in the world.''