31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Lioness hero Chloe Kelly's candid admission as she says 'I was in a dark place'
Chloe Kelly has admitted she was in a 'dark place' and wanted to quit football but has since found happiness again at Arsenal
Lioness star Chloe Kelly confessed that she "needed to find happiness again" as she revealed details of a "dark" period that saw her lose her passion for football.
The 27-year-old featured on Thursday's (July 31) instalment of ITV's popular daytime programme This Morning with presenters Dermot O'Leary and Rochelle Humes after the Lionesses' triumphant victory.
The squad recently created history by claiming the Women's Euros 2025 Final crown for the second time, with Chloe rising to the occasion to net the decisive goal for England.
Yet the path hasn't been straightforward for the footballer as she revealed her battles with her mental wellbeing at the beginning of the year.
Chloe found herself struggling to establish her position at Manchester City and confessed she couldn't envision "a future" with the club, before Arsenal came calling, reports the Mirror.
Dermot proceeded to enquire: "Chloe, you went through a period where you almost quit the game. Did you have enough?"
During a heartfelt exchange, Chloe revealed: "Mentally I was in a really dark place in January and I needed to find happiness again on and off the pitch."
She added: "I think that it's really important to look after your mental health and football felt so far away at the time. I went on loan to Arsenal and I found such happiness coming back to London.
"It's my city where I grew up, being closer to my family and everyday stepping onto the pitch with Arsenal I felt like my smile was coming back."
Dermot, a staunch Arsenal supporter, interjected: "I can't tell you how much that makes me feel so proud to hear that by the way and to hear the words Arsenal."
Chloe responded: "Thank you. As the months went by I could feel myself smiling again and it's really important as human beings.
"We are footballers but we are also human beings and I think happiness is important and it allows me to be at my best on the pitch."
The star further added: "The Euros felt so far away from me in January because I just wanted to be happy so now to be a European champion is incredible so I'm really proud."
