It’s New Zealand’s first time at the FIFA World Cup in 16 years and fans think our All Whites might have their best chance yet, with more of the Kiwi team having professional experience than
in previous eras.
But star defender and longtime Minnesota United FC player Michael Boxall isn’t listening to the hype.
“I learnt a long time ago that it’s not helpful to get involved in any of that dialogue, good or bad,” he tells Woman’s Day from his US home, with wife Libby by his side.
“The buzz for the World Cup is growing, for sure, but we live in our little bubble and don’t pay attention to the news. I focus on the things that are important to me – our kids, Libby, my family and friends – and I make sure I show up to do my job with football.”
Michael, 37, left Aotearoa at 18 to take up a football scholarship at the University of California and has built 19 years of professional experience since then, learning tough lessons along the way. He has since played for teams in Vancouver, Wellington, South Africa and now Minnesota, where he, Libby, 37, daughter Maxwell, nine, and son Beau, five, have been based for nine years.
But as exciting as it sounds, playing pro sport hasn’t always been a dream, admits Michael.
“When I look back, there aren’t a lot of positive moments from the first half of my career,” he says.
“When you’re young and starting a professional contract, they’re not too interested in developing you, so it took time to step up to the level I needed to be at. Most of my career has been figuring
it out as I go.”
A senior voice in the squad
It’s that maturity, along with 19 years of experience, that Michael will bring to the All Whites’ World Cup team, which also includes fellow Kiwi star Chris Wood, who has found success playing for Premier League club Nottingham Forest.
“Because I’m one of the more senior guys, I’ll be focusing on helping the younger ones enjoy the moment and try to make others proud of our performances,” Michael explains.
“Some of the games are in the US, so it’ll be cool to have Libby and the kids there.”
Michael grew up in One Tree Hill and met fellow Aucklander Libby through mutual friends in 2014, when he was based in Wellington. They married at their local courthouse in 2018.
“Just us, our daughter and a photographer in the garden,” smiles Libby.
“Zero stress. It was nice.”
Life in Minnesota
The family loves life in Minnesota, which is known for its nature and more than 10,000 lakes.
“It’s very outdoorsy here,” says Libby.
“It’s freezing in winter – it can get to minus 50 – and hot in summer with 30-degree days. I love it.”
Michael adds, “It’s great for raising kids. Our daughter can ride her bike around the neighbourhood, people are really friendly, the schools are great, and it’s nice and quiet. “It’s cool how supportive Minnesotans are of their sports. They recently built a new football stadium and we pretty much get sell-out crowds of 20,000 each week.”
Asked about the realities of being married to a pro athlete, Libby confesses it’s not all sunshine and rainbows.
“People think it’s glamorous and it really isn’t,” she laughs.
“We’re living away from home and raising our kids somewhere foreign, and because my husband’s often away, I do a lot of it myself.”
Building Milou Beauty
The entrepreneur keeps herself busy with her Kiwi-made skincare business Milou Beauty.
“I started as a naturopath and I’ve always been into health. I wanted to make a skincare line that’s premium but at a reasonable price point. The brand is super-sustainable and mostly plastic-free, with New Zealand ingredients, like seaweed, in every single product.”
She’s about to add beauty supplements to the range – something she has experience in from her previous business Dose & Co, a collagen and protein powder that found a fan in Khloé Kardashian, who became an ambassador and investor.
Libby shares, “I flew over to meet Khloé and Kris Jenner. Kris is nice, but Khloé went beyond in everything we asked her to do. She seems super-grounded.”
When Michael’s not playing, the family makes the most of Minnesota’s parks and food scene but say life is pretty chill.
“I feel like we’re taxi drivers most of the time, driving our kids to sports five nights a week,” Michael laughs.
“When I don’t have games, we like being at home, kicking balls around or playing board games with the kids. “Throughout football season, I live a hectic life, but the four of us tend to be together the majority of the time – family is what matters most.”
