Women’s football is thriving, but with its growth, challenges for players have increased. Throughout it all, a top contender for Sports Personality of the Year has maintained composure.
Late last year, Chloe Kelly was contemplating leaving football. She was unhappy at Manchester City, her team since 2020, feeling stuck as they wouldn’t let her play or leave. With limited playtime, her chances of being selected for England, aiming to defend their 2022 Euros title, seemed slim. At 26, approaching 27, after turning professional at 18, her mother was worried about her happiness. “I remember my mum visiting me and staying because she was so concerned,” Kelly recalls.
Now, things have changed drastically. Kelly is the favorite for Sports Personality of the Year after a remarkable comeback. She was loaned to Arsenal in January, and by May, she had won the Champions League trophy with them, defeating Barcelona 1-0 in the final. In July, she scored the decisive penalty for England, securing their second Euros title against Spain. She ranked fifth in the Ballon D’or Féminin and was named in the Fifpro World 11 squad for the first time. Against the odds, 2025 has been a fantastic year. “For sure,” Kelly smiles. “To bounce back makes it the best year of my career.”
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- Source: SCCGManagement.com