Chloe Kelly’s jubilation after winning the Euro 2022 final is the most memorable image in the history of English women’s football. Kelly started to take off after he sent the ball past German goalkeeper Merle Frohms in the Wembley final. And she sprang into action as soon as she realized the goal would stand.
She ran about in pure joy, using the Wembley field as a runway. She waved her shirt above her head like a propeller, and she could have even lifted off the ground if Jill Scott hadn’t thrown her arms around her in celebration. She became an overnight celebrity as her unrestrained celebration took over social media and made the front and back pages of newspapers. The 25-year-old, however, understands the need of staying grounded and attributes her current level of skill to her footballing upbringing in the cages of Ealing with her five older brothers, Jack, Daniel, Ryan, Jamie, and Martin.
A caged fighter
The London football cages, which have produced other football stars like Wilfried Zaha, Eberechi Eze, and Jadon Sancho, are where Kelly received his football schooling. “It was really competitive,” Kelly remembers in an interview with BBC Sport. I never received any special treatment; I was always treated like one of them. The same would apply to the buddies of my brothers. They helped me get to where I am now, so when we see each other now, we respect each other. I am truly grateful for all that they have done for me.