Safia Middleton-Patel breaks new ground for Wales and South Asian footballers at Euro 2025
Goalkeeper hopes to 'inspire younger generation' following landmark appearance against France
Wales have been rewriting the history books during Euro 2025, and goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel is no exception. The 20-year-old is believed to have become the first woman of South Asian heritage to play in a UEFA Women’s European Championship.
Born to an Indian father and a Welsh mother, Middleton-Patel has proudly represented Wales at international level for the past two years. Her appearance in the tournament marks a powerful milestone in football history.
Her achievement places her among a small, but growing, list of South Asian women breaking through in elite football, including Sam Kerr, Kira Rai, Layla Banaras, and Millie Chandarana.
While Nadia Nadim, who played for Denmark in 2009, was born in Afghanistan (not officially classified as South Asia), her impact as a player from the region deserves recognition. Still, Middleton-Patel’s achievement stands as a first of its kind and hopefully is just the beginning.
Beyond her international success, she also plays in the Women’s Super League for Manchester United, who believe her to be the first player of Indian heritage - male or female - to feature in a senior squad. Quite an accolade at one of the world’s most prestigious clubs.
Middleton-Patel has steadily progressed through the ranks at United. Initially joining the academy at the age of 15, she signed her first professional contract in January 2024 and made her senior debut in December of the same year in the League Cup against Newcastle United. Loan spells at Blackburn Rovers, Leicester City, Coventry United, and Watford have been valuable experiences in her development.
Off the pitch, Middleton-Patel has also been open about her experiences as a neurodivergent athlete, and she credits the supportive environment at United for helping her feel seen and accepted. She draws inspiration from England star Lucy Bronze and her story with autism, but the ‘keeper has emerged an incredible role model in her own right. Her passion for dismantling the negative stigma attached to neurodivergence is already influential. She is empowering young players with similar diagnoses and from similar backgrounds to pursue their dreams unapologetically.
As Middleton-Patel herself puts it: “I’m very proud… I’m very fortunate to be in a position to hopefully inspire a younger generation to be, like, ‘I can do that too’ and believe in themselves.”
FA initiative aims to tackle barriers
Despite football’s worldwide popularity, South Asia remains significantly underrepresented at elite levels. Stories like Middleton-Patel’s prove that British South Asian talent has always been there, and that it is the opportunities and visibility that have been lacking. From a young age, many South Asian girls face messages, both subtle and overt, that football ‘isn’t a sport for them’, whether that’s due to cultural expectations, lack of role models, or exclusionary environments at grassroots clubs.
To address the underrepresentation, the Football Association has introduced a targeted initiative called ‘Build, Connect, Support’, aimed at increasing South Asian participation in football, especially at grassroots levels. According to its data, 15.4 per cent of women playing across all levels of the sport in the UK are from South Asian backgrounds.
However, barriers remain. The sport has historically struggled to accommodate faith-based practices and inclusive dress codes, particularly for Muslim women who wear hijabs. This lack of inclusivity, coupled with instances of racism and religious discrimination, often majorly deter participation.
This is why representation matters so deeply. Seeing players like Middleton-Patel thrive on the world’s biggest stages signals that change is already happening. One of the core goals of Euro 2025 is to tackle these challenges and ensure that every woman - regardless of race, religion, or background - has the chance to play. Football must continue evolving into a safe, welcoming space for all.
Safia Middleton-Patel may be the first woman to represent South Asia at a Euros, but she most certainly will not be the last. Her legacy is already inspiring the next generation.