That, coupled with her innate talent, is what has helped the 25-year-old become a USA international, a multiple trophy winner, and a key figure for the Blues. Yet the American jokes that her coaches say she's a broken record.

‘They'll be like, 'Ah... Cat’s talking about preparation again!’ she says with a knowing look. ‘But the more you practice, the more everything is second nature when it comes to matches. I live by that statement because I try to be very intentional about the work that I do on and off the pitch. I ask myself how I can best set myself up for success.’

• Secure your place at our WSL opener against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on 5 September now!

When our Treble-winning season ended in May, Macario went back home to San Diego for five weeks, the longest she’s spent in the place she considers home for a good while.

She met up with family and friends and enjoyed some downtime, but the word ‘work’ soon re-enters the conversation.

‘It was great because I was able to work with some great people,’ she explains. 'Some of them I’ve known for a while, some I only met recently, but they all helped me rediscover myself, get in better shape, and find things I was missing, which is hard to do during the season.

‘I have certain people there who have known me for a very long time. They have helped me become the player and person I am today, so working with them again left me feeling so inspired. These are people who truly know you, believe in you, and give you so much confidence. They are friends who have become family. They're my village for sure.’

Macario was part of the first group of players to return for pre-season training at Cobham in early August, having been given a break from international football in the summer. The USA international then travelled to the Netherlands for our pre-season training camp. The theme? That’s right – work.

‘Some of us had two weeks in Cobham [before the Netherlands camp] and that was super nice to be back with the team and within the club.

'When you're training with your teammates, that's one thing, but when you're on a pre-season tour, it's a whole different beast, because that’s when you're really grinding. especially because it was hotter than what we're used to. It’s physically so tough in the moment, but it will pay off later on.’

Hard work inevitably leads to high expectations. As a forward, goals and assists are the obvious elements Macario wants to contribute on the pitch next season. But she is looking to do the unseen graft, the unglamorous actions that help win football matches, too.

‘I want to show more of what I'm capable of this season,’ she says. ‘I want to be available to play more and set myself up in the best way possible to change the game, whether that's through scoring goals or assists, or in ways that go way beyond stats with things like work off the ball.

‘It's something I've been working on over the summer. I’m hoping to add more layers to my game.’

The summer was also significant for Macario off the field. In July, it was announced that the Chelsea star had signed a groundbreaking endorsement deal with Nike.

It’s a major moment, not only for women’s sport, but for our striker. And she speaks passionately about what it could mean for other female athletes, not because of some abstract moment in the future but because they deserve it right now.

And in an era where women still have to prove their worth, Macario is passionate about what the deal represents, but is eager not to come across as entitled. Societal standards have made it that way, however, not the Blues No.9.

'I’m super delighted to have signed with Nike,' she says after a lengthy discussion over the significance of the long-term contract. 'This should be the standard for female athletes, and I think people are starting to realise that. That comes from visibility, and you can see in the viewing figures of our matches.

'Having our games on national television and not just on a YouTube link, for example, helps people become more familiar with the women’s game. That's how people come to care about certain teams, players, and that helps grow the game even more

‘This is elite sport; the level is very high. We’re starting to see that from an investment perspective, but there’s still room for improvement. It’s always inspiring for young athletes to see that they can make a living out of this, which has not always been the case. Even now, it's not necessarily possible for people in some countries.

‘So, I think it's about breaking barriers every single day, with every possible thing, whether it's through a record-breaking deal or something else. The deal feels inspiring because it shows people really care about women’s sport, and I can be a part of that. I hope it motivates young people to know that.’

Macario couldn’t be any further from being entitled; she knows her opportunities originate from her parents’ decision to move from Brazil to the USA and remains humble about how her life has transformed since then.

She’s as self-aware as they come, relying primarily on her faith to deal with the inevitable setbacks that come with playing professional sport. She also has numerous techniques to keep her mind as sharp as her feet.

‘My parents have sacrificed so much to help get me to where I am today,’ she continues. ‘They went through a lot to move to the U.S. I work hard and play for them.

‘I'm a very faithful person, so a lot of prayer, going to church or just talking with God helps me a lot to deal with any setbacks. I practice gratitude, which is very important to me. Talking to people really helps, but I also journal, I go for walks, and I do breathwork.

‘It's about the people you surround yourself with, and I am someone who gets a lot of energy from my teammates. I like to be honest about how I feel with them because at the end of the day, we see each other every day, and we go into battle together.'

That final sentence feels appropriate for Macario, because it takes a warrior to be a trailblazer. Regardless of a record-breaking sponsorship deal, that’s exactly what she is.

See Catarina Macario and her team-mates in action at Stamford Bridge against Manchester City in the first Women's Super League game of the season on 5 September at 7.30pm! Secure your tickets for that fixture here.