Chloe Kelly knows a thing or two about making dreams come true. She’s been the talk of tournaments – twice – is Arsenal’s talismanic forward, and now, she’s taking on a new first as a star player on Barbie’s Dream Team. 

In the summer of 2022, from Trafalgar Square to Hanwell, London was alive and buzzing as their Lionesses brought home that spectacular Euro Women’s trophy after beating Germany 2-1 in stoppage time. At the forefront of it all was a 24-year-old Chloe Kelly.

The Arsenal and England forward is a woman of firsts. In a key watershed moment in the rise of women’s football, Chloe wrote her name into the history books; sprinting on as Lauren Hemp took the corner, a flick of her ankle sent the ball into the net in the 110th minute, and an already lively Wembley Stadium went even wilder. Three years later, when the Lionesses made the final, again, for the 2025 Euros against Spain, it was her penalty, one which she took with that well-known charm, confidence, and poise, that brought the trophy home for the ladies. From the football courts of West London to the world’s grandest stages, at every pinnacle moment, Chloe has delivered – and she’s ready to do so, yet again. This time, with Mattel’s Barbie.

Today, she joins the Barbie Dream Team with her very own one-of-a-kind doll – the first (there’s that word again) ever England footballer to have one. Joining their illustrious lineup of pioneering women that boasts icons like tennis Grand Slam winner Serena Williams, German pop icon Helene Fischer, Polish mountain climber Zoja Skubis and Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana, Chloe is quickly asserting legend status for herself. This year, she is being honoured as a Role Model, as leading her field in breaking boundaries – that, she’s done (and does), time and time again. These are pioneering women in their own right, who have forged paths only they could form, leaving vast space and opportunity for young girls and women to follow in their footsteps – and the rest of the world to watch on.

For Chloe, having her own Barbie doll isn’t just a once-in-a-lifetime dream, but another incredible achievement. “Growing up, I dreamed about winning trophies and big moments in football, but I never imagined a different kind of milestone like this,” she says. “I hope it shows young girls that they can grow up playing with Barbie dolls and with footballs, and that they don’t have to choose just one version of who they want to be. You can love it all.”

To commemorate the occasion and ahead of International Women’s Day, Wonderland visited England’s number 11 on set for her Barbie shoot to get the rundown on becoming a Barbie herself, staying true in the midst of adversity, and what her hopes are for the future of women’s sports.

When you think about your ‘firsts’, it’s easy to whittle down your achievements to those you’ve accumulated playing for senior women’s teams across the Women’s Super League, but as a young football player especially, what were some of those earlier firsts that you remember?

Going to the store and buying my first boots, that was like a huge achievement for me, because I felt like the seriousness of the sport went up – knowing that’s something that I wanted to achieve: playing football. A first contract with Arsenal in the youth age groups. I remember going to trial with them and then getting into the Centre of Excellence and signing my first contract with them. That was huge. And also, my first call up to the England youth age groups when I was 12 and going to England’s Under-15 camp, it was absolutely daunting. I’ve never stayed away from home before in my life until then, and you’re going away for a week around people that you don’t really know, so that was a huge first for me. That’s when I realised I wanted to really compete and make it as a footballer. And then, of course, my first professional contract and my first goal for Arsenal. I think that was a proud moment for me, and not just me, but my family as well. But along the way, my family celebrated those firsts with me, and they made so many sacrifices to make sure I hit those firsts.

Who were your women of firsts? The legacy makers that made it possible for you to dream the way that you did or do.

My mum and sister. Being in the house – a male dominated house with five older brothers and my dad – I think the girls of the house were the bosses. The real bosses. Seeing my mum bring up seven children, it showed me how strong and powerful and inspirational she was, and still is today – and my sister being completely different to me, but having a great relationship with her. Kelly Smith and Rachel Yankey as well, women’s footballers that I looked up to as a young girl. I remember buying (and reading) Kelly’s book and going to train with [the] Arsenal [women’s] first team, and Rachel and Kelly playing in the team at the time. That was a proud moment for me, but it was also one where I wanted to learn. I wanted to sponge all the information I could from top individuals, and it felt like that young girl within me was so excited to play with her role models.

Do you feel a responsibility that comes with being a ‘first’, especially for young girls watching you now?

For sure I feel responsibility, but that’s a great thing. I want to be the best version of myself every day, and to show young girls that I’m a normal young girl as well that had a big dream to play professional football, play for her country and to play in major tournaments. And now, to look back at my career and be like, ‘wow, I’ve achieved something great’, it shows young girls that they can achieve that too. I was a young girl looking up to the likes of Kelly and Rachel, and today, I’m sitting here with my very own Barbie doll. That’s a pinch me moment. So for sure, I feel a responsibility, but that responsibility is a huge honour, and I try to be the best version of myself every day, whether I’m on the pitch or off it.

When we think about Barbie, she’s a figure that represents bringing dreams to life. What did young Chloe Kelly dream about? Were moments like 2022 or 2025 in that vision?

Young Chloe Kelly dreamed of winning. She dreamed of representing her country on the biggest stage, but she just enjoyed having a ball at her feet.

What does it mean to be recognised as part of Barbie’s Global Dream Team, celebrating women who were ‘first’ to break boundaries?

It feels amazing. I’m very proud to have my very own Barbie. I’ve been proud to represent and be part of so many special teams, but to be part of this special Dream Team is incredible.

What do you hope your achievements – the ones you’ve already made, and the ones that are to come – make possible for the next generation of players?

It shows that as a national English player, you can go into a tournament and have success and feel that success. But also for young girls to know that they can achieve great things within a sport that is male dominated and has been for so long – that now we’re in a place where we’ve taken a seat at this table and we’re here to stay. And I think it shows young girls that this is a safe place for them, and we can be ourselves within it.

You’re the first player to score the decisive goal in two major International Finals. When you hear that described as a ‘first’, how does it sit with you?

I’ve been honoured to represent my country, and to do it with such incredible teammates and to win incredible tournaments, but to sit here today with a Barbie doll is so special.

You’ve also become quite a strong presence in the fashion space, finding new ways to tell your story through that medium. How natural has that crossover from football to fashion felt for you?

It’s felt very natural. Fashion is something I’ve always enjoyed, and now to be able to collide football and fashion and be in a position where people can see we’re not just footballers, we can also enjoy fashion too. We can’t just be one person. It’s great to see. And now we’re in a position as women’s footballers that we can go into a space that we feel comfortable in, in fashion, and we belong here too. We don’t just belong in the sports space. I think I’m learning as well, along the way. I love seeing fashion. I love talking about fashion. I’m in a really good space with that. I’ve always enjoyed fashion and exploring fashion. For young girls, it’s not just having your eyes on one thing. 

What were some of those barriers that you felt you faced as a young football player? I’d love to get your thoughts on some of those barriers that still exist for young girls, especially young football players today especially, who want to pursue football seriously?

Any woman being in football, there’s negativity around that. Even when we’re so successful now, we still have barriers – people telling us we don’t belong in this space, but we definitely do, and that shows in the success that we’ve had – but it shouldn’t only show in success. It should be shown every day, and to young girls. I was playing in tournaments, in boys football tournaments, and being the only girl there, and stepping away from the pitch and having the player of the match or the player of the tournament, that feeling was so good. Before the tournament, you didn’t feel like you belonged in that space. Seeing young girls now competing in girls leagues and sometimes competing against the boys as well, and feeling strong and powerful in that moment, it’s great. Of course, there’s always barriers for us, facing us, but I think what we’ve [Lionesses] done as a team nationally and across the world, we’ve been able to change that mindset. We do belong here, and I think we can keep that going with the success that we have, but also telling our stories and showing our journeys too.

If you could go back and speak to your younger self, what would you tell her?

Be you and enjoy every moment.

Is there a dream (or a few) you’re chasing now? And if so, can you share what it is? 

The dream I’m chasing now? To be better tomorrow than I am today.

Words – Aswan Magumbe