Reason Chloe Kelly was snubbed for MBE over four Lionesses as team-mates set to miss out

England talisman Chloe Kelly could be in store for an MBE after she controversially missed out on the accolade in 2023. That's after Prime Minister Keir Starmer said "recognition is coming" for certain members of the Euro 2025-winning Lionesses. Building on their victory of three years ago, Sarina Wiegman's side successfully defended their continental crown in Switzerland. The Lionesses came from behind to defeat World Cup tormentors Spain on penalties and lift the trophy for the second time in as many tournaments.

And it was Kelly who once again came to her country's rescue as she converted the deciding spot-kick in Basel. The scenes mirrored those witnessed at Euro 2022, where it was her extra-time finish that sealed victory over Germany in the final. The 27-year-old was nonetheless omitted from the 2023 New Years Honours list as team-mates Lucy Bronze and Beth Mead received MBEs. All-time top scorer Ellen White was given the same award, while captain Leah Williamson was named an OBE.

Kelly and the rest of her Lionesses team-mates missed out in 2023 after the honours committee said that it did not want to reward "the entire squad" as the competition was a European championship, not a World Cup.

Chairman of the sports honours committee, Sir Hugh Robertson, said at the time that the panel wanted to focus on outstanding performances throughout the competition rather than reward the entire Lionesses squad.

"We tried to stick to the principles of the honour system, which is to recognise excellence and to recognise extraordinary contributions," he said. "That's particularly the case with [the] selection of players who set the country alight. So we wanted to recognise and capture that, but to do it in a way that picked out the outstanding performances we saw throughout the tournament.

"I think also in the back of my mind was the fact it was a European competition and not a world one. They have a world championship next summer."

But Kelly and fellow Euro 2025 saviour Hannah Hampton could be set to feature in the next class of New Year's Honours - though some of their team-mates are set to miss out. Manager Wiegman may get her recognition, too, as it's speculated the Dutchwoman could be named an honorary Dame.

"What Sarina and our Lionesses have achieved is nothing short of remarkable," Starmer told the Sun on Sunday. "So recognition is coming - and it will be worthy of their historic success."

The Lionesses became the first English football team to win a major international honour since 1966 when they clinched the European title three years ago. But Wiegman's achievement in retaining the title this summer is an even greater feat.

For starters, England didn't have home-field advantage this time around. Not only that, but they overcame a Spain side that has dominated the international scene in recent years and pipped them to the World Cup crown in 2023.

It seems fitting that after missing out on an MBE the last time England's heroes were honoured, Kelly came back to play a critical role in the Euro 2025 final. The Arsenal forward also came off the bench to convert a 119th-minute comeback decider against Italy in the semi-finals.

Chelsea goalkeeper Hampton was similarly significant throughout the competition and pulled off two iconic saves during the penalty shootout win over Spain. She was named Player of the Final for her efforts, and Wiegman was glowing in her review of the new No. 1.

"You really have to step up and show it and so did she," she said of her goalkeeper's heroics in Switzerland. "I think she's done amazing. It's a very bit like a fairy tale to stop those penalties in the final of the Euros and to win it."

Hampton's impact was all the more impressive given she had big boots to fill following Mary Earps' retirement. However, she has fitted seamlessly into the role and played a crucial part in her country keeping hold of the European crown.