‘Superstar’ Fran Kirby was once called England’s ‘mini-Messi’ but Chelsea heroine has her own inspiring story ahead of Women’s Champions League final

If Chelsea Women win their first-ever Champions League crown on Sunday, it will be thanks to one person as much as any other: Fran Kirby.

With 25 goals in 29 matches this season, it’s no wonder she was compared to men’s superstar Lionel Messi by former England Women’s coach Mark Sampson.

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But the Chelsea heroine, just named FWA Player of the Season, has her own unique story ahead of this weekend’s huge final.

Kirby is the club’s all-time leading goalscorer after six years in west London, winning everything in sight, except Europe’s elite competition.

Like Blues manager Emma Hayes, victory over Barcelona on Sunday night, live on talkSPORT, would cement her place in Chelsea’s history books.

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She’s the joint top scorer in the Women’s Champions League this season, in what has to be considered her best campaign at the club so far – but less than a year ago, there were fears she may never play again.

Between November 2019 and August 2020, Kirby did not play a single minute due to pericarditis.

And for former Chelsea teammate Eni Aluko, Kirby is an inspiration in her own right.

Aluko told talksSPORT.com: “I’m a big fan of Fran Kirby. I remember back in 2015 when Fran signed and everybody wanted her signature.

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“She was playing in the league below for Reading and had got in the England team and scored for England being in the league below.

“And I was like ‘this girl is a superstar’. I remember being on the England camp and thinking ‘I’m just going to ask her if she’s interested in coming to Chelsea’.

“She kind of sheepishly said ‘Yeah, yeah it’s going to happen’. I was so happy as I got the chance to play with another great player and we got better and stronger.

“Since then, she’s been so consistent. Obviously dealt with a lot of injuries and illness, but has been so consistent in her impact on the Chelsea team in terms of her goalscoring and assists.

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“For me, Fran has been the difference. When she hasn’t played, others have stepped up like Beth England and credit to them, but what makes this partnership with Fran Kirby and Sam Kerr so powerful is Fran Kirby’s versatility, her contributions, her assists and goals and her passion for her team.”

On Kirby being labelled ‘mini-Messi’, Aluko said: “Sometimes comparisons can be a bit lazy. It’s a huge compliment to be named in the same breath as Messi, but Fran Kirby is Fran Kirby. Her story is unique. Her journey is unique and her journey is inspiring.

“Even Messi doesn’t have that kind of story necessarily. Fran is Fran and I’m a huge fan and she’s a friend of mine and love for her to do well.”

Presented by Faye Carruthers, with commentary from Sam Matterface, Fara Williams and Courtney Sweetman-Kirk, the 2021 Women’s Champions League final is live on talkSPORT from 8pm on May 16