London
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Soccer star Chloe Kelly performs as a ahead for Arsenal, the Women’s Super League membership in England. Known for her blistering tempo and highly effective pictures, she’s additionally a part of England’s girls’s nationwide soccer group, the Lionesses, which reached the World Cup last in 2023.
And now she’s additionally a Barbie doll.
In honor of being named as Barbie’s role model of the 12 months, a toy has been made within the likeness of the 28-year-old athlete, who famously scored the successful purpose within the UEFA European Women’s Championship in 2022 and the clinching penalty within the 2025 Euro last.
“I’m very proud to have my very own Barbie doll,” Kelly informed CNN amid capturing her marketing campaign for Barbie in a warehouse in north London, showing energized and properly rested regardless of collaborating in a Championships League recreation the night time earlier than (Arsenal is now by way of to the quarterfinals). “To see a footballer with a Barbie doll shows that our sport is here to stay. We’ve inspired so many on the pitch, but off the pitch this is huge.”
The miniature model of Kelly is sporting the 2025 England Lionesses package (designed by Nike, the house shirt includes a purple and blue ombre stripe throughout the chest and is paired with blue shorts with purple and white stripes on the aspect, knee excessive socks and soccer sneakers). Meanwhile the true Kelly, once we communicate, is sporting a cinched denim shirt with matching barrel-leg trousers designed by the up-and-coming British Nigerian designer Tolu Coker.
It’s emblematic in some methods of Kelly’s private model, which tends to modify between excessive glamour and laidback separates. “I was drawn to the shape and structure of the outfit and going with something that I’m comfortable with – quite casual but also cool,” Kelly mentioned.
Running now for a decade, Barbie’s role model initiative is aimed toward championing girls who “brought their dreams to life” and “were the first to break boundaries,” in accordance with the dollmaker.
It’s a part of Barbie-owner Mattel’s efforts to maneuver away from a slim, singular picture of magnificence (blonde, blue-eyed and excessive hourglass determine) to making a extra inclusive reflection of the world. Today, the well-known doll is available in numerous physique sorts, pores and skin tones, hair textures and bodily talents. Yet regardless of Mattel’s widening illustration, typically there’s no storytelling extra highly effective than the hardships and accomplishments of an actual individual. And over time, Barbie has lent its role model standing to stars intently entwined with popular culture, such as Kylie Minogue, Helen Mirren, Shania Twain and Viola Davis.
Sports is an area that Barbie has been more and more making inroads into. To promote physique positivity and energy, Mattel has made duplicate dolls of groundbreaking athletes together with the basketball participant Sue Bird, tennis star Venus Williams, boxer Estelle Mossely, swimmer Federica Pellegrini, monitor and area sprinter Ewa Swoboda; and rugby gamers Ilona Maher, Ellie Kildunne, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and Nassira Konde. In newer years, Barbie has additionally centered on celebrating the typically less-celebrated roles in sports activities, such as coaches, managers, trainers, reporters and mentors.
Kelly is a sportsperson – however she additionally stands for one thing extra. Not solely has she achieved super success at a younger age (she made her skilled debut at 17), however she has additionally cultivated an engaged fanbase by serving as an advocate for women’ grassroots soccer. These accomplishments are important contemplating that girls within the UK have been as soon as restricted from enjoying soccer, as it’s recognized right here, with the Football Association claiming that the game was “unsuitable” for ladies’s well being. A 50-year ban, lasting from 1921 to 1971, meant that girls weren’t solely unable to compete professionally, however those that wished to play recreationally have been relegated to public parks and smaller venues.
For Kelly, it means being the face of a sport that her mom’s technology would have had restricted means to have interaction in. “Seeing football and Barbie, two worlds colliding, it shows to younger girls that we can do both,” mentioned Kelly, who returned to Arsenal from Manchester City, first on mortgage in January 2025, after which on a everlasting foundation by the summer season. During that point, Arsenal – considered as the underdogs within the Women’s Champions League last towards Barcelona – claimed their first European trophy in 18 years. By July that 12 months, Kelly, this time enjoying for England, famously scored that penalty towards Spain within the Euros last, securing the Lionesses their second Euros title in a row. “I’m proud to have been in many special teams in my career, and to win huge tournaments and trophies,” she mentioned earlier than including with a smile: “I have my goal set on winning many more.”
Today, younger girls’s participation in soccer is experiencing a historic surge, and widespread curiosity can be rising round feminine gamers. Just take a look at England captain Leah Williamson, who in January signed with expertise company, Fivethree, which generally represents musicians like Olivia Dean and Sam Smith – indicating that we may be on the cusp of an accelerated transformation within the sport. Stadium attendances and on-line viewership are surging, industrial funding is rising, and new alternatives appear to be rising throughout each nook of the sport.
Since getting back from the winter break, Arsenal have gained eight of their ten fixtures (dropping only one and being tied in one other), whereas additionally turning into the first-ever winner of the new FIFA Women’s Champions Cup in February. “I’m feeling really good,” Kelly mentioned. “Of course, our eyes are set on Oslo (where the Champions League final will take place) in the summer, but we have to play Chelsea first and beat them, so we’re going to be ready for that test.”
