Wembley ball girl and bringing piano to Euros – Agyemang’s journey

Michelle Agyemang claims she was never “that close to the action” when she was a ball girl at a ball girl’s game at Wembley four years ago.

The 19-year-old is undoubtedly capable of achieving the Lionesses’ Euro 2025 goals in Switzerland.

Her 81st minute close-range effort gave England the lead in a chaotic shootout and sent their quarter-final against Sweden to extra time and penalties.

Agyemang, who had been called in as a late substitute again, pounced to put her side level in the 96th minute before Chloe Kelly sealed a 2-1 victory in extra time with a shock 1-0 defeat by Italy in the semi-final too.

Her first real encounter with the senior team came when she was a ball girl in Sarina Wiegman’s third game as head coach, a World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland in 2021, having come through England’s under-age teams.

Agyemang told BBC Sport, “It was crazy.” “Seeing the girls’ faces so directly. Being a part of that experience was priceless and I’ll never forget it because Beth Mead scored a hat-trick that day.

Wiegman is aware of her transition from a ball girl to a first-team player, but Wiegman does not believe her England team-mates are aware of her past, which is acceptable.

They recognize her as a shy, unassuming teen who plays on the field.

Agyemang showed what she can do in her opening game against France.

Nobody in the team had more touches in the opposition box than Agyemang’s five during her four-minute cameo, which almost made England pull off an unlikely comeback.

However, she was unable to save the Lionesses from that defeat in the quarter-final against Sweden, which kept them in the competition and ultimately on course to win the title.

She continued, “It means the world to me that I am finally here.”

Agyemang’s international success has been anything but a lowkey success.

In April, she made her England debut playing for England in the Nations League against Belgium, and she did so with a stunning volley just 41 seconds later.

After selecting Agyemang to play for the Euros squad, Wiegman declared that the youngster would “bring something different” to her side.

She delivered on her prediction against Sweden when she was only 11 minutes away from starting as a substitute.

“Go and be yourself, go and cause havoc, go and change the game,” said Agyemang as soon as I started playing.

Agyemang’s immediate reaction to winning over Sweden was to console her rivals, who team-mate Lucy Bronze describes as “sweet and unassuming”; this word is not typically associated with the word.

Agyemang believes in having faith, and she regularly listens to gospel music before games to get in the zone. She has been able to maintain her musical talent while traveling in Switzerland thanks to the kit man who brought her piano in.

“I play the drums, bass guitar, and piano.” She said, “I spend a lot of time playing and relaxing on my piano in my room.”

Because it’s right in front of me, I don’t think there’s ever a day when I can play it. I probably spend about two hours playing and enjoying myself, especially on game days.

Lotte Wubben-Moy claimed that Agyemang, who also studies business management at King’s College London, was interested in hearing her play piano.

Agyemang is still getting used to the spotlight that comes with being a Lioness, especially as the youngest member of England’s squad and at her first major tournament.

Before it became known that England were working with police after defender Jess Carter revealed she had been the subject of racist abuse while visiting Switzerland, she was speaking to BBC Sport.

Agyemang called it “weird” to be the subject of attention.

She said, “When I was younger, I wasn’t really a big fan of the cameras and other things around me.”

“It’s nice to know that people care about both me and the women’s game.”

She claims her parents are in charge of raising her, and this helps her balance her rapid rise with increased attention, and helps her maintain her confidence on the pitch.

She said, “Whenever I get on the pitch, I believe I’ll score.” “I still believe that I’m going to get on the scoresheet, even if it’s impossible.”

She claims she would have supported herself if someone had revealed that Agyemang, a young player, would represent England at Euro 2025.

She said, “I would have had complete faith and confidence that I could leave and make a positive impact.”

“I have always believed in myself and believed in that since I was a young child.” I would have undoubtedly advised you to “go and do what you know you can do.”