MY ACCOUNT
Beth Mead has vowed do everything in her power to light up the Women’s World Cup next summer.
Mead, 27, scooped the BBC Sport Personality of the Year award last night after a stellar 12 months for Arsenal and England was capped by the Lionesses winning Euro 2022 in the summer.
It was an emotional success for the forward, who faces an extended spell on the sidelines after rupturing her ACL against Manchester United last month.
But the Whitby-born ace remains confident of returning in time to help Sarina Wiegman’s team chase a first world crown in Australia and New Zealand.
After picking up her award, Mead told LiveScore: “The World Cup is not an impossible goal for me.
“It’s one I’ll work my a*** off to get towards! But at the end of the day, Sarina is the one who will make that decision.
“All I can do is put myself in the best position to try and get there.”
Mead’s injury has a standard recovery timeframe of between six and nine months, though she has been encouraged with the early stages of her rehabilitation.
The Euro 2022 Golden Boot winner and Player of the Tournament added: “It’s going OK, as far as two weeks post-op on an ACL injury goes.
“I’m bending and straightening the leg, so it’s not going too badly. Every day is just little steps and little wins for me.”
Brighter days ahead
Becoming the first women’s footballer to win the Beeb’s prestigious gong has given Mead a much-needed morale boost — as did signing a new long-term contract with her beloved Arsenal last week.
Since joining the Gunners in 2017, she has become a more versatile attacker, as comfortable operating on the wing as in a central role.
Now, when she returns from injury, the popular Lioness will have ample opportunity to add to her 61 goals in 166 appearances for the Gunners.
She said: “Everyone knows what an amazing club Arsenal is. We’ve often come up just short in recent years in certain competitions.
“Going forward, I’d love to win an FA Cup with the club. I’d love to win another league title with the club. You want to win trophies, it’s what we’re all there for.”
The No9 also paid tribute to her club colleagues after a 9-1 win in Zurich last night saw the Gunners top their Women’s Champions League group to secure a quarter-final berth.
Mead added: “The girls did amazing tonight while I’m not there.
“It’s an incredible team, an incredible club and I’m so proud to be staying there a lot longer.”
Pride of a Lion
Mead’s fellow Lionesses were in attendance to witness her special moment, having won the BBC Team of the Year award earlier in the night.
Speaking to LiveScore on the red carpet, England’s record goalscorer Ellen White and Manchester City star Lauren Hemp heaped praise on their colleague and close friend.
White, 33, said: “It was an amazing summer and it’s really amazing and exciting to be here tonight.
“Of course, we’re all backing Beth 100% and so pleased to see her get this recognition.”
After netting 52 times for her country, White has now hung up her boots and recently announced she is expecting her first child in April.
She added: “Yeah, it’s a lot of change. But I’m really excited for the next chapter of my life now with my family and my husband!”
Meanwhile, City forward Hemp confessed the change in the landscape of the Women’s Super League has caught her off guard.
The 22-year-old ace said: “It’s been hyper. Attendances have sky-rocketed and that’s all down to the summer.
“It’s been nice to get back to the usual in a way and playing games against some of my England team-mates has been good fun.
“I think we’re all just focused on preparing for next year’s World Cup now and seeing what we can achieve there.”
