Wembley ballgirl to Lionesses' young cub - Meet England's one to watch at Euros
At 19-years-old Michelle Agyemang is the youngest player in Sarina Wiegman's squad for the Women's Euros - but her coaches and teammates know exactly what this trusted wild card can do
From Wembley ball girl to Lioness cub, Michelle Agyemang is England's youngest player and undoubtedly the one to watch this tournament. Born in Southend, Essex, football was an inevitable path for the 19-year-old, who grew up in a family obsessed with the sport.
Although loyalties were deeply contested with her Ghanaian father supporting Manchester United, her brother is a Chelsea fan, while her sister follows West Ham. Meanwhile Michelle, a life-long gunner, joined Arsenal at just six-years-old when her dad landed her a trial while working as a grassroots football coach.
But it was watching the Lionesses win 4-0 against Northern Ireland while standing on the sidelines at Wembley that Agyemang, then just a 15-year-old ball girl, truly realised her dream of becoming part of the England squad. Finally four years later, while playing for England U19s, an injury for club teammate Alessia Russo opened the field for Agyemang to step up to senior duty.
At the Women's Nations League in April, she was given her England debut against Belgium. It took her just 41 seconds to stick one between the goalposts. Recalling that goal, she still looks back with disbelief and admits she rewatches it on Youtube to try and inspire herself.
She said: "I was literally watching it today. Sometimes I think 'how did I do that'. "Like, probably if you asked me to go out and do it again now it just wouldn't happen, so it's just crazy to look back on it and believe that it happened, but I'm so grateful that it did."
At England boot camp Michelle was warmly welcomed into the fold by experienced players who admire her talent. Captain Leah Williamson admitted: "Michelle's athleticism is something I can only dream of... She knows how much I believe in her."
And after a stint on loan to Bright and Hove in the last WSL season, boss Dario Vidosic predicts Michelle will be a "household name" after the Euros. He said: "She's got a beautiful strike, she knows how to hit a ball, she's dangerous, she possesses a lot of weapons and she'll be, no doubt, a household name sooner rather than later. "I'm sure there'll be a lot of kids wearing her jerseys in the not too distant future."
Now a trusted wildcard for Sarina Wiegman, Michelle says her overwhelming feeling to be going to Switzerland is one of immense pride. "To put that badge on and to know that you're representing your country at a major tournament," she said. "I'm so grateful for the opportunity."
Speaking about the moment she got the call up, Michelle added: 'It was amazing to get that call and to be here again. My family is so supportive. When I was telling them my mum was screaming, my dad was shouting as well and then my friends. I'm really grateful that she [Wiegman] has put the trust in me to come in here again and show what I can do.'
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