Chloe Kelly, England’s football heroine, is finally poised to receive the recognition she profoundly deserves, with reports indicating her inclusion in the prestigious New Year’s Honours list. This long-awaited acknowledgment comes after a controversial omission from the 2023 honours, despite her monumental contributions to the Lionesses’ historic triumphs. Her journey from being overlooked to now being celebrated underscores a compelling narrative of perseverance and undeniable achievement on the global stage for England.
The initial snub of Kelly, particularly after her decisive goal secured England’s memorable Euro 2022 victory, sparked widespread public outcry and disbelief among fans and pundits alike. While teammates like Beth Mead and Leah Williamson were rightfully awarded MBEs, Kelly, whose golden goal etched her name into English football folklore, was conspicuously absent from the list, leading to significant debate about the criteria for such esteemed national honours.
The rationale provided by the honours committee at the time cited a reluctance to recognise “the entire squad” for a European championship rather than a World Cup. This explanation, however, failed to assuage critics who argued that individual standout performances, especially those directly contributing to historic wins, should always merit distinguished recognition, irrespective of the tournament’s specific classification. The decision seemed to undervalue the unprecedented success of the Lionesses.
Fast forward to Euro 2025, and Chloe Kelly once again emerged as a pivotal figure, proving her indispensable value to the England squad. The Lionesses successfully retained their European title in Switzerland, demonstrating a sustained period of dominance in women’s football. This back-to-back success further amplified the calls for Kelly’s overdue recognition, highlighting her consistent impact and leadership under immense pressure.
Her role in the Euro 2025 triumph was nothing short of heroic, as she slotted home the crucial penalty in Basel, mirroring her Euro 2022 final heroics. Beyond the final, Kelly also delivered a crucial 119th-minute comeback winner against Italy in the semi-finals, showcasing her clutch performance and ability to influence outcomes in critical moments. These performances solidified her status as a true Lioness legend.
Beyond Kelly, fellow Euro 2025 star Hannah Hampton is also reportedly in line for recognition, a testament to her outstanding goalkeeping throughout the tournament, particularly her two legendary saves in the penalty shootout against Spain. Furthermore, there are strong whispers that manager Sarina Wiegman could be named an honorary Dame, an honour befitting her unparalleled success in guiding the Lionesses to consecutive European titles.
The Lionesses’ achievement in 2022 marked England’s first major international football honour since 1966, a monumental feat. However, Wiegman’s ability to retain the title in 2025, particularly without home-field advantage and against a formidable Spanish side that had previously bested England in the 2023 World Cup, arguably represents an even greater triumph, solidifying their legacy as one of the greatest English football teams.
The poetic irony of Chloe Kelly’s journey is profound; having been controversially overlooked for an MBE despite her match-winning contributions in 2022, she returned to play an even more central role in the 2025 European victory. This turn of events reinforces the notion that true talent and impact eventually command the recognition they deserve, ensuring her place in the pantheon of England’s football greats.
