Beth Mead: I was mentally weak as a youngster – but a difficult year has toughened me up

England forward Beth Mead has admitted she felt “mentally weak” as a youngster but says her experiences in a tough 2023 have made her stronger than ever, as she prepares for her first Lionesses appearance in more than a year.

The Arsenal star is back in the national team squad for the first time since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament knee injury last November – which saw her miss this summer’s World Cup – and for the first time since the death of her mum in January.

Mead, who has made six Women’s Super League appearances for Arsenal since her return to match fitness, said of being back with Sarina Wiegman’s team at St George’s Park: “I’ve been smiling like a Cheshire Cat since I got here. I’ve worked hard, I’ve had a lot of tough days and I’m just super proud of myself.

“I would say I was mentally quite weak growing up. But I’d like to think the things I’ve dealt with have made me a stronger and a better person. I’m proud of my journey and I feel very lucky and blessed to have had support [around me]. Amazing people have got me through that time, not just me, so it’s credit to those people around me too.”

Mead’s ACL rehabilitation meant she had to watch from the other side of the world as the Lionesses reached the World Cup final in August.

The Euro 2022 Golden Boot winner said: “The final was a pretty tough watch. Throughout the tournament me and Leah [Williamson] were sat watching games, we were still very emotionally and physically connected. I know that me and Leah really struggled because we just want to help the team do the best that they can do. We got that taken away from us from not a nice injury. It was a tough watch but I was still so proud and proud to be English watching them in that tournament.

“Those bad days feel so much better now that I’m here and I’m back on the pitch and I’m doing what I love doing again. Each game I’ve been playing at the moment I’ve been feeling more confident, like myself again. I hope I can help the team in whatever way I can.”

The Lionesses will certainly be grateful for Mead’s return, as they prepare to host the Netherlands at Wembley in a must-win contest. Around 75,000 tickets have been sold for the Nations League game, which England need to win to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for next summer’s Olympics on behalf of Team GB.

Mead said: “Last time I got a chance to play there, my mum was still here. So that’s difficult for me to think about sometimes but it also makes me very proud to try and make her proud as well. Fingers crossed I can get on the pitch and make her proud again.”

Earlier on Tuesday, the Football Association confirmed that all 24 of the clubs across the WSL and Championship had agreed with the proposals to create a new entity to run the leagues from next season, as previously reported by Telegraph Sport, and that former Nike director Nikki Doucet has been confirmed as the new company’s chief executive.

For more than five years, the Football Association has made no secret of its desire to hand over the running of the WSL and Championship to an independent, club-owned body.

Mead, who won the WSL title with Arsenal in 2019, added: “We want the game to move to a new level, we want to keep pushing it forward, and although the FA have done an amazing job over many years, I think it was time to let go of those stabilisers and let somebody else take over.

“Hopefully in the long run that can help us push the game and the leagues to the next level. I think the sky’s the limit and we have to keep pushing it there.”