Lionesses hero Chloe Kelly has been transformed into a Barbie doll to celebrate International Women’s Day.
The annual date is this Sunday, March 8, and Kelly, who played a starring role as England retained their Euros crown in the summer, has become the first England footballer to receive the honour in celebration.
The Barbie is billed as a one-of-a-kind doll – part of the Role Model collection – made to look like Kelly, and is seen wearing the kit England wore as they claimed glory in Switzerland.
Barbie have announced that their collection is made up of a mixture of sportspeople, scientists, adventurers and artists. The likes of tennis icon Serena Williams and cricket star Smriti Mandhana are also included.
Upon being made into the toy, Kelly said: ‘To have my own one-of-a-kind Barbie doll is something I’m incredibly proud of. Growing up, I dreamed about winning trophies and big moments in football, but I never imagined a different kind of milestone like this.
‘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.’
Lionesses star Chloe Kelly has been transformed into a Barbie doll to mark International Women’s Day
Kelly, whose doll is wearing her Euro 2025-winning kit, said: ‘I hope it shows young girls that they can grow up playing with Barbie dolls and with footballs’
Williams, meanwhile, said: ‘I have always drawn inspiration from the powerful women in my life – from my mom, sisters, and daughters to the dolls in my toy box growing up,’
‘Now, I’m thrilled to be honored alongside this incredible group of female changemakers as part of the Barbie Dream Team. Just like so many women have empowered me to turn my fear into courage and doubt into confidence, I hope we can do the same by championing girls everywhere to pick up a racquet, become an entrepreneur, or do whatever ignites their passion and brings their dreams to life.’
It comes on the back of a memorable 2025 that saw midfielder Kelly play a starring role throughout the Euros for her country.
Kelly embraced a substitute role, first coming off the bench to score an extra time winner against Italy in the semi-final. Then, in the final, she set up Alessia Russo to score, and bagged the winning penalty in the shootout against Spain.
Those events came three years on from when she scored the winner in the Euro 2022 final victory over Germany at Wembley.
She also signed for Arsenal at club level, winning the Champions League last season.
