Kim Little: Scotland & Arsenal’s low-key, high-grade superstar

Kim Little doesn’t say much publicly. She doesn’t post much on social media. In truth, she doesn’t need to.

A career of letting her feet do the talking means there are plenty of team-mates and coaches willing to shout from the rooftops about her greatness.

A TikTok video of her Arsenal team-mates talking about her said it all.

“Greatest midfielder of all time” was mentioned.

“Legend” was thrown in there.

And the word “underrated” came up more than once.

Little will captain Arsenal in Saturday’s Champions League final at the age of 34 after a stellar 19-year career, yet rarely takes any headlines.

Even in her native Scotland, her talents have been somewhat under appreciated.

The fact she retired from national duty in 2021, while still playing at the top level, has never been much discussed or scrutinised even as Scotland have stumbled badly in her absence.

But her player-of-the-match display in the Champions League semi-final demolition of Lyon emphasised just what a star she is.

“Kim Little is an unbelievable footballer who goes under the radar all the time,” her team-mate and England captain Leah Williamson said after the 4-1 away win against eight-time champions Lyon.

“Unfortunately, the international stage didn’t provide her with any of these incredible opportunities but she’s a player worthy of seven or eight Champions League titles.”