Women’s football has long been considered second-tier compared to the men’s game. It hasn’t had the same prestige, entertainment value, or ticket sales. But thanks to social media and growing exposure, it’s been making huge strides—breaking records and telling incredible stories.
At Euro 2025, the final between England and Spain drew an impressive 657,291 total ticket sales—a new record. The final, featuring the world’s top two teams, was of course sold out.
But it’s not just about numbers. Women’s football has begun producing its own unforgettable stories—full of heroes, heartbreaks, and redemption arcs. And Chloe Kelly’s story is one of them.
From Street Football to European Glory
Chloe Kelly, the hero of England’s Euro 2025 win, played a crucial role in securing the title for her country once again. Born in West London, she first made history in 2022 by scoring in extra time against Germany, bringing England its first major title in 56 years.
Her celebration—ripping off her shirt and revealing her sports bra—became an iconic moment, frozen in time.
Fast forward three years: Kelly wasn’t at her peak anymore but still stepped up when it mattered most. She became England’s game-changing substitute in crucial matches against Sweden and Italy.
Let’s go back to where it all started: a dream to become a footballer, rising from a humble West London family to the peak of European football.
A Life in Football
Kelly joined Manchester City in 2020. She began her football journey in her neighborhood, played for QPR, and eventually made it to Arsenal. A natural striker, she loved scoring goals. From Arsenal, she moved to Liverpool and then Everton before landing in Manchester.
She represented England at all youth levels and debuted for the senior team in 2018.
In 2021, she suffered a serious ACL injury and underwent surgery. After 11 months of recovery, she had to convince the national coach she was worth taking to Euro 2022.
Thankfully, she made the squad. But she had missed her dream of competing in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
In 2022, she got her revenge on fate. She led England to European glory, becoming a role model for aspiring female athletes.
That winning goal against Germany in extra time—and her unfiltered celebration—became an instant classic. She had already done something similar after the semi-final win over Sweden.
But where did the shirtless celebration idea come from? Many assumed it was a nod to U.S. player Brandi Chastain’s famous 1999 World Cup celebration.
Actually, it wasn’t. Kelly said she was inspired by seeing Bobby Zamora score in QPR’s 2014 playoff final and lead the team to the Premier League. At just 16, she had told her family: “One day, I’m going to be Bobby Zamora.”
Brandi Chastain later tweeted:
“I see you Chloe Kelly—well done! Enjoy those free pints and dinners for the rest of your life. Cheers!”
Author Lucy Ward wrote of the moment:
“This image of a woman in a sports bra is hugely significant. This is a woman’s body—not for sex or display—but for the joy of what it can do and the power it holds.”
Teammate Rachel Daly called her a “legend.” As for Kelly, she admitted:
“I had no idea what I’d done. It wasn’t planned. I just acted. But it was okay, right?”
After the Euros
After the glory of 2022, things didn’t stay perfect. The 2022–23 season was tough—City didn’t win a title and finished fourth, though Kelly had the second-most assists in the league.
At the 2023 World Cup, where England lost the final to Spain, she didn’t play a leading role—often coming off the bench without making much impact.
The following seasons were even tougher. Her form dipped, and she lost her spot at Manchester City. By the start of the 2024–25 season, she’d barely played—just 165 minutes by January—and her relationship with the club had soured. Rumors swirled about a transfer, but City wouldn’t let her go, not even on loan.
Then came a turning point—she moved to Arsenal in January. In London, she got her groove back. She found game time, felt valued again, and eventually won the Champions League—something she’ll never forget.
National team coach Sarina Wiegman hadn’t forgotten Kelly’s impact in 2022 and included her in the squad for Euro 2025. Though not a starter, Wiegman trusted her off the bench—and Kelly delivered every time.
In the quarter-final against Sweden, England were down 2-0. Kelly came on in the 78th minute, assisted a goal, and helped set up the equalizer. In the penalty shootout, she coolly converted her shot and sent England to the semis.
Against Italy in the semis, she again came on in extra time with the score tied 1-1. After missing a penalty, she scored from the rebound—sending England to the final.
In the final against the world champions Spain, Kelly once again came off the bench. She assisted Russo’s equalizer, and then scored the final penalty in the shootout—clinching back-to-back European titles for England.
Incredibly, she didn’t start a single match—but was still the tournament’s ultimate difference-maker. Every time she came on, something magical happened.
She was England’s Midas—everything she touched turned to gold.
Football Is a Family Affair
Kelly comes from a big family in West London—she’s the youngest of seven.
“I was always playing football with my brothers from the age of seven. They were older and played with their friends, but they still picked me for the team. They never went easy on me—they kicked me around like everyone else,” she once said.
That’s how she learned. As a child, she’d take the 92 bus from Ealing to Wembley just to pick up a match program—without even having a ticket to get inside. Who would’ve thought that one day, she’d score at Wembley in a Euro final?
“We just played whatever football we could. Basically, street football with no rules. I think that’s why I have good technique—I earned it on the streets,” she says.
She played every attacking position growing up, and started out as a right winger at Arsenal.
As for her personal life, Chloe has been with her partner Scott for six years. The couple got married last summer.
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