Veteran defender Lucy Bronze was a huge part of the England squad that triumphed at Euro 2025 this summer despite battling with a serious injury throughout the tournament
England hero Lucy Bronze has revealed that she played the ENTIRE Euro 2025 tournament with a fractured tibia after the Lionesses beat Spain on penalties in a dramatic final.
Speaking post-match, the right-back, 33, told BBC One: “I have actually played the whole tournament with a fractured tibia, and then I have hurt my knee on my other leg.
“That’s why I got a lot of praise from the girls after the Sweden game, as I’ve been in a lot of pain. If that’s what it takes to play for England, that’s what I’ll do.”
Bronze limped to collect her winners medal after being taken off in extra-time with an injury.
She had most of her right leg strapped up and, as she alluded to, also hurt her knee in the win over Spain.
The Chelsea star was also seen strapping up her own leg during England’s quarter-final victory over Sweden in a hugely powerful image which was heralded at the time.
Bronze was part of the team that triumphed at Euro 2022. Hannah Hampton and Chloe Kelly were the heroes in the shootout that helped England retain their Euros crown, with the former saving two spot-kicks and Kelly plundering the winning kick.
England headed into the tournament as one of the favourites but suffered a nightmare start by losing their opening game against France. They flirted with elimination on a number of occasions, too, and led for less than five minutes in total across their three knockout matches.
Despite that, Bronze insisted that the belief of her and the rest of the Lionesses never wavered. “I mean, I think we never lost belief in ourselves,” she said.
“There was a lot of noise on the outside. We stuck together and dug deep. To win on penalties. This team is so inspiring to be part of.
“What we have done today is unbelievable. Winning on penalties is an amazing feeling, but to lose on penalties is a horrible way to lose a final. I know a lot of these girls from Barca missing penalties. It is difficult I have been there a couple of years ago.
“This year it was meant for England. Today we have shown resilience. We have shown everyone to believe in yourself no matter what people say about you.”
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Sarina Wiegman’s legends have made history and brought football home once more after defending their title and winning Euro 2025 in Switzerland. We have produced this special souvenir edition of the Women’s Football News.
It is crammed with interviews with the Lionesses, special features, their match-by-match road to glory as well as dozens of amazing images. Click here to buy