Michelle Agyemang has won over the nation at just 19-years-old, thanks to her two late equalisers in the quarter-final and semis, which secured the Lionesses their place in the Euros final this weekend.
The teenager, who led England to receive their winners medals after beating Spain, was also crowned the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 Young Player of the Tournament. Just four years after working as a ball girl for England’s world cup qualifier against Northern Ireland at Wembley, Agyemang has now become the breakout star of this year’s Euros.
However, her story becomes even more impressive when you learn that she has been balancing a career as a Lioness and Arsenal player with studying for a degree at one of the best universities in the world.
Agyemang is currently working towards a degree in business management at King’s College London. The 19-year-old has been travelling between Brighton, where she has spent the last season on loan from Arsenal, and London, where she attends lectures at the university.
John Griffiths, one of Agyemang’s former development coaches, told England Football that her dedication to academic life always shone through.
He said: “On camp, she’d be up in the morning studying before the staff had even got up. She’s just so humble in everything that she does, whether that’s her football, her academics or the way she carries herself as a person and treats others.”
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The vice-chancellor and president of King’s, professor Shitij Kapur, told the Mirror: “We are immensely proud of Michelle and all that she has achieved. To be named Young Player of the Tournament is a true testament to her incredible performance in the UEFA Women’s EURO, and she is an inspiration to the entire King’s community.
“Her example should encourage every student that you can excel in the classroom and score goals beyond the university at the same time.”
After the final, Agyemang said: “It means the world to me. This is only by the grace of God. [I was a ball girl] four years ago, so it’s such a short amount of time, but to be here, I’m thankful for my teammates, to the coaches, staff and to God, the messiah of course.”
Looking forward, Agyemang said she wants to “keep working hard, winning tournaments, and doing what I can to help my team, whether club or country”. She added: “To be here, let’s think about the now. We’re European champions and that’s what matters right now! I won’t say too much but I’m going to have a good time!”
Sarina Wiegman, the England manager, said before the final that Agyemang had “something special”. She explained: “She’s only 19-years-old, she’s very mature, she knows exactly what she has to do.” What is next for Agyemang? Wiegman said that if she continues down her current path, she has a “very bright future”.
