Katie McCabe: 'My Euro glory can inspire Irish girls'
Ireland captain Katie McCabe hopes that Arsenal's sensational Champions League triumph on Saturday evening can inspire the next generation of young girls in this country.
A disciplined and focused McCabe was key to how the Gunners shut down Barcelona's fearsome attack in Lisbon and she has now emulated her compatriots Emma Byrne, Yvonne Tracy and Ciara Grant in winning the European Cup.
'I'm just so proud of what we have done as a team,' said McCabe. 'We stopped one of the best front lines in the world going forward and we did it together. It was incredible. Caitlin Foord and Katie McCabe with some extra hand luggage on the way home from Lisbon. Pic: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
'We had belief from our comebacks (in the second legs against Real Madrid and Lyon in the last two rounds). We knew it was a final — we had to go all in. We heard the underdog word thrown around but we deserved to be in this final, we gave it everything.'
McCabe and her teammates will celebrate their title in front of their fans outside the Emirates Stadium this morning, with the trophy lift expected to take place before midday. After that, international duty calls for McCabe as she must travel to Istanbul, where Ireland face Turkey in the Nations League on Friday. However, after lifting the trophy on Saturday evening, she reflected on the journey that brought her to this glory.
'I think of days back to when I was playing with Raheny in the Champions League qualifiers to where I'm at now. I hope young girls in Ireland were watching that game today and they can dream to be like me winning this trophy.' Katie McCabe celebrates with the trophy. Pic: INPHO/Jose Breton
Meanwhile, striker Alessia Russo says that the Gunners are only getting started and that winning the Champions League can be the catalyst for even greater success.
'I feel like that massively,' she said. 'When you win things, you want to win things even more, and also you know you're good enough to do it. I think it was important to win for many reasons, but now we want to win more. We want to go back and start next year strong. We want to compete domestically more so than we did this year, and we want to be back winning this trophy again.'
The triumph guarantees Arsenal a direct place in next season's Champions League league phase — alongside Women's Super League winners Chelsea — after becoming the first team in history to reach the final from qualifying round one.
'I'm absolutely buzzing,' said Russo, after substitute Stina Blackstenius' 74th-minute strike proved enough to inspire the underdogs to victory over a Barca side that had conquered Europe in 2021, 2023 and 2024. Alessia Russo of Arsenal. Pic: Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
'I can't really put it into words, it just feels bloody amazing. It feels surreal right now, but I just had so much belief going into this game. We all did. We didn't really want to say it too much, but we all kind of had this feeling. We knew we could and we just had to go and deliver.'
There are so many elements to this wonderful story, including the rise of manager Renee Slegers, the former assistant who was appointed as the permanent head coach in January after serving on an interim basis since October, beating out more proven candidates for one of the most coveted jobs in women's football.
'It means so much, for everyone who has built towards this across many years,' said the 36-year-old boss. 'But it also means so much for the future, because it motivates people, it motivates us, and it shows what we are capable of. There's even more in the group. The strength of this team has been to be in the present, and trying to become better every single day. And of course, if you are part of Arsenal and win trophies, that's what builds bonds.'
England star Chloe Kelly has thanked Slegers for giving her the opportunity after revealing that she nearly took a break from football after finding herself in a dark place at Manchester City before joining the Gunners on loan back in January. Katie McCabe (right) and Chloe Kelly. Pic: Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
'Look, if it's my last game for the club, I'll forever be grateful. I know I've given my all to Arsenal Football Club, and Arsenal Football Club have given their all to me. They gave me an opportunity to step foot on the pitch and find happiness.. It's not about football at times. No matter what happened today, the club gave me happiness.'
Kelly has enjoyed an incredible uptick in form since her acrimonious departure from City on deadline day in January, including starting Saturday's final. The winger also described how she wanted to repay the faith and support of Slegers by bringing the trophy back to north London for the first time in 18 years.
'Renee Slegers — as soon as she got on the phone to me to give me the opportunity to represent this badge — I wanted to repay her. From being in such a dark place to now, it's crazy. I was ready to take a break from football completely, so I'm just grateful.'
A graduate of Arsenal's academy, Kelly spent four years at Everton from the age of 17 before joining Manchester City in 2020. She has often spoken about how returning to the club where she grew up has brought a smile back to her face. Katie McCabe and Chloe Kelly. Pic: Pedro Loureiro/Sportsfile
After the final, she said: 'Me and Lotte (Wubben-Moy) used to get the Underground to Finsbury Park to Potters Bar. At Potters Bar, we'd get off and take a bus, get off at the M25 bridge, and walk to the training ground. Looking back, it's been a journey.
'To do it with these girls is so good — players that I've played with growing up. Leah (Williamson), when I joined Arsenal when I was 12 — it's amazing. You see the journey that everyone is on. Arsenal have always paved the way for women's football, and we continue to do so.
'They (the Arsenal fans) are the best fans I've ever played in front of.. Whether I was playing against them or for them, they're the best.'
On Saturday Arsenal became the first team not called Barcelona or Lyon to win it for the first time since 2015.
Kelly added: 'This (the Champions League triumph) is for the ones that allowed us to be here today.'
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