2. Chloe Kelly
The Lioness Who Sealed the Dream
Chloe Kelly will forever be remembered as the Lioness who delivered England the moment it had been waiting for — not once, but twice. Born in 1998 in Hammersmith, West London, Kelly grew up in a football-mad family, honing her skills in cages and parks before joining Arsenal’s youth setup. Her rise through the women’s game was rapid, built on pace, flair, determination, and an unshakable will to win.
Her club career has taken her from Arsenal to Everton, then to Manchester City, and back again to Arsenal, where she has become one of the Women’s Super League’s most dynamic forwards. Known for her ability to stretch defences, deliver inch-perfect crosses, and pop up with decisive goals, she embodies the modern attacking winger. Even after suffering a devastating ACL injury in 2021, Kelly fought back stronger — a testament to her resilience and hunger for the game.
On 31 July 2022, at Wembley, she etched her name into footballing immortality. Coming off the bench in the UEFA Women’s Euro final against Germany, Kelly scored the winning goal in extra time, sparking scenes of unbridled joy and securing England’s first major international trophy since 1966. Her celebration — ripping off her shirt and swinging it above her head, sports bra visible as she roared in triumph — became one of the defining images of 21st-century sport: raw, liberating, and unforgettable.
Then, remarkably, she did it again. On 27 July 2025, in the Euro final against Spain in Basel, England were taken to penalties after a 1–1 draw. With the weight of a nation on her shoulders, Kelly stepped up and coolly dispatched the decisive spot-kick, sealing back-to-back European titles for the Lionesses. In doing so, she made history as the first English footballer — male or female — ever to deliver two trophy-winning goals in European Championship finals.
Kelly’s story is one of resilience, fearlessness, and destiny. To come back from injury to score the goal of a generation in 2022 was remarkable enough. To repeat the feat three years later, this time from the penalty spot, is almost mythic. She has become the ultimate big-game player, the embodiment of England’s belief and determination.
Off the pitch, Kelly is admired for her humility and relatability. Despite global fame, she remains grounded, connected to her roots in West London, and passionate about inspiring the next generation of girls to play football. She is not only a hero on the pitch but also a role model whose influence will echo for decades.
At #2, Chloe Kelly stands as a national icon: the Lioness who twice brought football home, the player who delivered when it mattered most, and the woman whose name will forever be written in English sporting legend.
