Johanna Rytting Kaneryd is one of women's football's biggest stars. Ranked 23rd in the 2025 Ballon d'Or voting, the Swedish winger has won three Women's Super League titles, collected two FA Cup trophies and lifted the League Cup since joining Chelsea in 2022.

She has made 65 appearances for Sweden, scoring eight goals, and in 2024 was awarded the Diamond Ball in her home country, the highest possible accolade for a women's footballer.

Great success often comes from humble beginnings, and when we sit down with the 28-year-old, she is delighted to recount exactly how her career began.

'My biggest inspiration has always been my dad,' smiles Rytting Kaneryd. 'He's the one who taught me basically everything. He was the one who got me into football. He was my coach in the beginning, even when we didn't have practices with the team, I was still out in the garden playing with him. We had a football pitch right outside.

'I basically grew up playing football with him and my twin brother. My dad has always been my number one supporter and my number one role model.

'I always had someone to play against with my twin brother. I think, especially because he's a boy, it gave me even more competitiveness.

'He was always stronger than me and always had a good touch. That was his thing; he did free kicks and stuff, while I was just running with the ball because I've always been pretty quick. I think I used that as my tool. But I was always jealous of his touch!

'I have been playing football since I can remember. I’ve been kicking the ball since I could walk, and when I was five, I started to play in a team.'

There is no success to be found without struggle. Our conversation moves on to the challenges Rytting Kaneryd has overcome, and she reveals her favourite inspirational quote. It's in Swedish, so we use our phones to find the English equivalent, and the result couldn't be more appropriate. 'Adversity breeds success.'

'The decisions and the sacrifices you have to make are tough,' Rytting Kaneryd explains. 'I moved to another city, two hours from home, when I was 15. That was a really hard decision. I couldn't see my family. Of course, we spoke on the phone every day, but it wasn't the same. But football is special. You don't have a normal life, but I've never, ever regretted anything.

'Dealing with setbacks is something I’m still learning. It’s always easier said than done, but I think what I've learned throughout the years is having the patience of knowing there’s going to be ups and downs, but with that being said, things can change so quickly.

'And I think that's something I always bring with me. Life is not over if I have a bad session, for example. I still have the opportunity to change that. So for me, it's always important to look forward and not back.'

The development of the women's game has come a long way since Rytting Kaneryd was picked out by a coach she credits with launching her career.

She is extremely proud that she can act as a role model for young girls who want to follow in her footsteps, but has never forgotten where she came from, even though she now plays at the very top level.

'When I was 11 or 12, I was playing with girls who were quite a bit older than me,' she continues. 'A coach saw me playing and gave me the chance. He saw something in me, which I appreciate a lot, and I will always, always, always remember him.

'Now, if you look at the Euros, look at the fans, look at everything around. There are so many possibilities, and you can actually play without having to work on the side to earn money. If you look back a few years, that wasn't the case.

'So it’s important to let girls know that they can dream big and they can achieve things, even if they come from different backgrounds. Even if they have to face injuries, whatever it is, it is still possible.

'It means everything to me to be a role model. I can't really explain it. It's still weird to think about the fact that I am a role model for someone. In my head, I'm just…me. I'm a normal person. The fact that young girls and boys may look up to me is incredible.

'It’s something I really don't take for granted. It makes me feel very humbled, and if I can help someone to go through whatever they are going through, or make them believe and dream big. I'm more than happy.'

Her thoughts on being looked up to as a footballer perfectly reflect her sunny disposition. Her zeal is infectious, and it's also indicative of how much she genuinely appreciates being a Blue.

'I love being positive, and I always try, at least, to have a smile on my face.' she concludes. 'I feel like it's important to make everyone smile and feel happy.

'I love my job. I love it here at Chelsea, I love everything around this place, so for me, I'm very, very grateful to be inspired by everyone around me.'

The Chelsea fans are grateful to be inspired by Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, too.

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