For Lloyd Kelly, football has always been much more than a sport — it was survival, purpose, and hope. The English defender, now a pillar of Juventus’s back line, speaks with quiet honesty about the hardships that shaped him.
“Ah, what is football for me… Football is my life. Football was my distraction during a difficult childhood. It allowed me to look elsewhere than what was happening around me, to escape the difficulties. This sport played a huge role in my growth, and my love for it is exactly the same as when I was ten, eleven, twelve years old,” as he explained to La Stampa.
Kelly’s story is one of strength and resilience. Born in Bristol, he was placed in foster care at the age of seven, moving through several families together with his siblings Mary and Marcus until adulthood. Today, he wears one of football’s most iconic shirts — black and white — but behind the calm exterior lies a past that forged his character.
“It was the moment I realised all my hard work was paying off”
Asked to recall a defining moment when football brought him happiness as a child, Kelly pauses thoughtfully. “Good question… I’d probably say my first-team debut at Bristol City. That was the moment I felt that all the hard work I’d put in up to that point was paying off. It gave me a chance to look back and think about where I’d come from.”
“I have immense respect for families who foster children”
Kelly often speaks openly about his experience in foster care, not out of sentimentality but conviction. “Fostering is something I’ll always be passionate about. I know firsthand what the system can do for children, how much the love of a new family can mean. It’s something that’s deeply close to me because it’s how I grew up with my brother and sister. For me, it’s something good that can come out of difficult situations. I have a lot of respect for families who choose to take in children that aren’t theirs — they can have a massive impact on a child’s life and future.”
The bond with his siblings remains unbreakable. “Yes, of course. After everything we’ve been through, we’ll always be close. We know we can always count on each other. Life goes on, everyone has their own path, their own commitments, but that bond will never change. We’ll always rely on one another.”
“My son is my greatest blessing”
Now a father himself, Kelly smiles when speaking about his young family. “My son is two years old now. He’s the greatest blessing in my life. I love him with all my heart, and it’s incredible to see how fast he’s growing.”
It’s easy for him to draw parallels between family and football — particularly at Juventus. “Yes, I’d say Juve feels like a family too. From the outside, people see the success, the hard work it takes to play for this club. But it’s also an environment where we help each other. We share experiences, time, and emotions — the good and the difficult moments. That’s when it’s most important to be united.”
“We know what Juventus must aim for”
Juventus’ recent loss in Sardinia halted their run of good form, but Kelly refuses to panic. “We knew that playing Cagliari would be tricky. You need the right mindset for those matches. For most of the game, I think we had it, but sometimes things just don’t fall into place. We created chances but couldn’t finish them. It’s frustrating to lose after a good performance, but we’re still in a strong position — we just need to keep pushing because the competition is fierce.”
He credits manager Luciano Spalletti for transforming the team’s identity. “I’ve enjoyed working with the coach from day one. He made his ideas clear straight away. Of course, it takes time to adapt, but I think we’ve done well. We’ve understood his playing principles — and it’s not only about positioning or passing. The mental aspect is just as important.”
And when the two communicate? “In team meetings everything’s in Italian — I understand it well now, and the context helps. But in private, we sometimes speak in English. I can say his English is very good.”
“We must face these big matches with the right mentality”
Looking ahead to the crucial week with matches against Benfica and Napoli, Kelly expects intensity. “Two tough games, a hard week. We’ll need to be mentally ready. After the Cagliari defeat, we talked among ourselves — we have to get back to the mindset that brought us good results.”
Personally, Kelly feels proud of his progress. “From the start of the season, my only goal has been to play at the highest level I can. I think I’ve done that. I don’t want to look too far ahead — I take it game by game and focus on maintaining this level. But of course, at Juventus you must have ambition. You need to seek challenges and think about winning. That’s always in the back of my mind — but it begins with strong performances.”
“At Juve, we share everything — even jokes and style tips”
Inside the Juventus dressing room, the Englishman has adapted quickly to life among his new teammates. Who’s the most stylish? Kelly laughs. “Well, I’d put myself first. But Manu — Manu Locatelli — spends a lot of time on his outfits! I couldn’t imagine waking up every morning and putting on a suit like he does.”
And the funniest? “Easy. Weston McKennie. He’s always joking, always laughing, and everyone feeds off his energy. But when it comes to football, he’s very serious — extremely professional.”
Finally, the wisest? Kelly doesn’t hesitate. “Pinsoglio. He’s one of the oldest and most respected guys. You can always go to him if you need advice or if something’s bothering you. From the outside he looks like a joker… but in reality, he’s very wise.”
For Lloyd Kelly, life, football, and family are all intertwined — shaped by hardship, strengthened by love, and grounded in humility. As he puts it simply: “Football gave me focus, family gave me purpose, and Juventus gave me another home.”
