Former Arsenal star Ian Wright is demonstrating his legendary status extends beyond the football pitch.
For years, the 61-year-old has been a strong supporter of women`s football.
Last April, he made a remarkable gesture, showing his commitment by helping a player facing a potentially career-ending injury.
Stoke City defender Kayleigh McDonald ruptured her ACL in a game against Burnley. When her club initially declined to cover surgery costs, she resorted to creating a GoFundMe page.
It has since been revealed that Stoke City reversed their decision, a change attributed significantly to Wright`s intervention.
According to The Telegraph, he funded a sports lawyer to represent McDonald`s case.
Furthermore, late last year, when the club stopped funding her rehabilitation, Wright personally took on the monthly costs.
The defender stated that her monthly rehab expenses are approximately £1,700.
McDonald believes Wright`s generosity deserves greater public acknowledgment.
She told Telegraph Sport, “Mentally, I wouldn`t be doing well without Ian Wright.
“I`d likely still be awaiting surgery if he hadn`t stepped in.
“For him to do this for me, a complete stranger, I feel he should receive more recognition.”
This news of the Arsenal legend`s remarkable kindness emerges following criticism from former England Lioness Eni Aluko, who accused him of `blocking` opportunities for women in football broadcasting.
Speaking on Radio 4`s Woman`s Hour recently, Aluko commented, “I`ve worked alongside Ian for a significant time, and while I regard him as an excellent broadcaster, I believe he should be mindful of his extensive presence in the women`s game.
“The reality is, available positions are limited.
“If there were equal opportunities in men`s football broadcasting and coaching roles as there are currently emerging in the women`s game, it would be a different story.
“However, that`s not the situation. I cannot dominate the men`s sector in the manner exemplified by Ian.”
Clarifying her point on whether she felt Wright`s prominent role in women`s football coverage was inappropriate, Aluko responded, “I wouldn`t necessarily say it`s wrong, but it`s crucial to be mindful and ensure women are not hindered in their progression into broadcasting roles within women`s football.
“The sport is still developing. Opportunities are finite, and men in the field should recognize this.
“Men should understand that they are working within a sport primarily growing for women, where opportunities haven`t always existed for us. It`s about fostering awareness and supporting other women in their careers.”
In recent years, Wright has consistently supported the expansion of women`s football.
In 2023, he collaborated with Barclays to establish the Ian Wright Coaching Fund, aimed at boosting the number of female coaches at the grassroots level.
He donated £15,000 and funded the Level One training courses for 664 aspiring female coaches.
Furthermore, after England`s victory over Sweden in the 2022 European Championship semi-final, he passionately argued that football opportunities should be available to all girls in schools.
Wright stated, “Regardless of the final result, if girls aren`t given the chance to play football in PE lessons, just like the boys, what are we even doing?
“We must ensure they can play and have these chances.”
Last year, the ex-Arsenal forward launched a women`s football podcast with Manchester City icon Steph Houghton and is a regular analyst for ITV`s coverage of the Lionesses.
