World Cup-winning soccer star Chloe Kelly is now a Barbie

Soccer star Chloe Kelly plays as a forward for Women’s Super League club Arsenal in England. Known for her fast pace and powerful shots, she is also a part of the England women’s national football team, the Lionesses, which reached the World Cup final in 2023.

And now she’s a Barbie doll too.

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In honor of being named Barbie’s Role Model of the Year, a toy has been created in the likeness of the 28-year-old athlete, who scored the winning goal at the 2022 UEFA European Women’s Championship and the clinching penalty at the 2025 Euro final.

“I’m very proud to have my own Barbie doll,” Kelly told CNN while shooting her campaign for Barbie in a warehouse in north London. She was energetic and well-rested despite attending a Championship League game the previous night (Arsenal have now reached the quarter-finals). “To see a footballer with a Barbie doll shows that our sport is here to stay. We have inspired many on the field, but off the field it is huge.”

The miniature version of Kelly is wearing the 2025 England Lions kit (designed by Nike, the home shirt features a red and blue ombre stripe on the chest and red and white stripes on the side paired with blue shorts, knee-high socks and soccer boots). Meanwhile, the real Kelly is wearing a cinched denim blouse with matching barrel-leg trousers designed by the emerging British Nigerian designer as we speak. Tolu Kokar.

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It is in some ways emblematic of Kelly’s personal style, which fluctuates between high glamor and relaxed detachment. Kelly said, “I was attracted to the shape and structure of the dress and going with something I felt comfortable with – quite casual but also cool.”

Why do Chloe Kelly dolls matter?

According to the doll manufacturer, the decade-long Barbie Role Model initiative aims to support women who “brought their dreams to life” and “were the first to break boundaries”.

It’s part of Barbie owner Mattel’s efforts to create a more inclusive reflection of the world away from a narrow, single image of beauty (blondes, blue eyes and the extreme hourglass figure). Today, the famous dolls come in a variety of body types, skin colors, hair textures, and physical abilities. Yet despite Mattel’s broad representation, sometimes there’s no story more powerful than the hardships and accomplishments of a real person. And over the years, Barbie has turned to pop culture stars like Kylie Minogue, Helen Mirren, Shania Twain and Viola Davis as role models.

Sports is one area in which Barbie is making rapid inroads. To promote body positivity and strength, Mattel has created replica dolls of leading athletes including basketball player Sue Bird, tennis star Venus Williams, boxer Estelle Moseley, swimmer Federica Pellegrini, track and field runner Eva Svoboda; and rugby players Ilona Maher, Ellie Kildune, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and Nasira Conde. In recent years, Barbie has also focused on celebrating sometimes under-appreciated roles in sports such as coaches, managers, trainers, journalists and advisors.

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Kelly is a player – but she wants something more, too. Not only has she achieved tremendous success at a young age (she made her professional debut at the age of 17), but she has also garnered a dedicated fan base by acting as an advocate for grassroots girls’ football. These achievements are significant considering that women were banned from playing football in Britain, as it is known here, after the Football Association claimed that the game was “unsuitable” for women’s health. The 50-year ban, which lasted from 1921 to 1971, meant that women were not only unable to compete professionally, but those who wanted to play for fun were relegated to public parks and smaller venues.

For Kelly, it means being the face of a sport that her mother’s generation may have had limited means to attend. “Football and Barbie, seeing the two worlds collide, it shows young girls that we can do both,” said Kelly, who returns to Arsenal from Manchester City, first on loan in January 2025, and then on a permanent basis until the summer. During that time, Arsenal – viewed as underdogs in the Women’s Champions League final against Barcelona – claimed their first European trophy in 18 years. By July that year, Kelly, this time playing for England, scored the famous He A penalty against Spain in the Euro final secured the Lionesses’ second consecutive Euro title. “I’m proud to have been on so many special teams and winning major tournaments and trophies in my career,” he said with a smile. “My goal is to win many more,” he said.

Today, young women’s participation in football is experiencing historic growth, and widespread interest in female players is also increasing. Just look at England captain Leah Williamson, who in January signed with talent agency, FiveThree, which typically represents musicians like Olivia Dean and Sam Smith – showing that we may be on the cusp of accelerated change in the game. Stadium attendances and online viewership are rising, commercial investment is increasing, and new opportunities are emerging in every corner of the game.

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Since returning from the winter break, Arsenal have won eight of their ten fixtures (losing just one and drawing the other), while also becoming the first winners of the new FIFA Women’s Champions Cup in February. “I’m feeling really good,” Kelly said. “Obviously we have our sights set on Oslo (where the Champions League final will be held) in the summer, but we have to play Chelsea first and beat them, so we’ll be ready for that test.”

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