Jess Carter struggles to see herself as role model having grown up without them

Since bursting on to the scene as a teenager Jess Carter has made herself a role model for aspiring young footballers.

Carter, 24, helped Chelsea to a domestic treble last season, and calls for her to get more regular time with England were heeded by Sarina Wiegman last month as she featured in all three games as the Lionesses won the Arnold Clark Cup.

As a black, gay woman, Carter breaks down boundaries, but cannot think of herself in that way.

“I think for so many of us, it’s just being our own selves and doing what we want to do and what we love, being who we are,” Carter told the PA news agency. “I can only speak for myself but I never really see myself as a role model.

When Carter, who was 13 when the Women’s Super League launched, was growing up role models were in short supply.

“It’s not something I’ve ever had so it’s not something I would see myself as,” she added. “For a lot of boys growing up they obviously have these role models and then when they get there they realise how important being a role model can be.

“I think more and more now as young footballers get older they’ll realise the women’s game is going that way and that now we are becoming role models and a lot of kids are looking up to us…

“I don’t think it often sinks in until I get a message from a fan or see a fan and they are super-excited. With the little kids I don’t really understand why they’re so excited because you’re just playing football.

“But in those moments you realise they look up to you so those moments are special. But I would never see myself as a role model as such. I’m just there doing the best that I can do.”

Carter took up the game around the age of five, and was lucky to have Warwick Juniors, founded by Dean Brandrick, down the