Lionesses fans in disbelief at Lucy Bronze's injury revelation after victory over Spain in Women's Euros final
The 33-year-old was taken off at half-time in extra time during Sunday's final, which ended 1-1 before England beat Spain 3-1 on penalties in Basel.
But when asked about the new knee injury she picked up during the game, Bronze casually disclosed that she had already been playing through far worse.
'I have actually played the whole tournament with a fractured tibia,' she told BBC Sport. '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. Very painful.'
The previously undisclosed injury sparked an outpouring of disbelief and admiration across social media on Sunday night.
'Lucy Bronze played the whole tournament with a fractured tibia!!!!! Wow. She was already incredible but this is something else,' wrote journalist Giulia Bould.
'She's not human I swear, that's just crazy! Absolute machine!' added fellow reporter Karen Fazackerley, while another fan tweeted all in caps: 'Lucy Bronze played this whole tournament on a fractured tibia? What the hell.'
Bronze started all six of England's games at Euro 2025, racking up 600 minutes — more than any other outfield player except Keira Walsh (601) and Alex Greenwood (628), and just behind goalkeeper Hannah Hampton (632).
Her heroics in Switzerland came off the back of a treble-winning season at Chelsea as she helped her club lift the WSL, FA Cup, and League Cup.
Reflecting on the tournament after England's second shootout triumph in 11 days, Bronze said the Lionesses never lost faith.
'There was a lot of noise on the outside,' she added. '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've been there a couple of years ago. This year it was meant for England.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Revealed: Benjamin Sesko 'decides' between Man United and Newcastle as transfer saga finally nears end
Benjamin Sesko has reportedly made his decision on where he will be playing next season following months of speculation. The RB Leipzig striker has been at the centre of a fierce transfer battle between Manchester United and Newcastle, with both clubs identifying the 22-year-old as a key summer target. Now, a report in Slovenia claims the highly rated forward has settled on his next move — and it could trigger a major shake-up in the Premier League 's striker market. According to Delo, Sesko has decided to join Newcastle , with the Magpies beating off strong competition from Old Trafford to land one of Europe's most promising young attackers. The Slovenian outlet reports that Newcastle's proposal won out after a drawn-out saga that saw Arsenal, United, and Newcastle all linked. Arsenal dropped out earlier this summer, opting instead for Viktor Gyokeres, while United had turned their full attention to Sesko after ending their pursuit of Aston Villa 's Ollie Watkins. United's interest was led by director of recruitment Christopher Vivell, who previously worked with Sesko at RB Salzburg and has described the 6ft 4in forward as having the potential to become one of the world's top strikers. Manager Ruben Amorim had also made him a priority, having already brought in Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo to strengthen the attack. But Sesko is now said to have chosen Newcastle — a decision that may be closely tied to the uncertain future of Alexander Isak. Mail Sport revealed on Friday that Liverpool had a £110million bid for Isak rejected, with Newcastle holding out for £150m. Isak is believed to be pushing for a move and has been training alone at former club Real Sociedad, having pulled out of the Magpies' pre-season tour with an apparent thigh issue. Newcastle have made clear that no sale will go ahead unless a suitable replacement is secured — and Sesko has long been top of their wishlist. The Bundesliga side signed Sesko from Red Bull Salzburg in 2023 and have an informal agreement to allow him to leave if a suitable offer is made. It is understood that Newcastle will be expected to pay Leipzig somewhere between £60m and £70m plus add-ons. Sesko scored 21 goals in all competitions last season and has 16 goals in 41 senior appearances for Slovenia. He has drawn comparisons to Erling Haaland for his blend of height, pace and technical ability — and is seen by Newcastle as a ready-made replacement should Isak get his wish. As for Man United, they may now be forced to explore alternatives. Amorim's side struggled badly in front of goal last season and were hoping Sesko would be the final piece in a new-look forward line. Rasmus Hojlund's future remains unclear, with the Dane insisting he wants to stay and fight for his place — but competition was always expected. United have also made enquiries about Brentford's Yoane Wissa, while Wolves' Jorgen Strand Larsen has been discussed too.
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Katie Taylor's dad CONFIRMS legendary daughter's relationship status after pics emerge of her wearing ‘wedding ring'
KATIE TAYLOR'S dad Pete has confirmed that the Irish boxing legend is married. In pics ahead of her trilogy bout against Amanda Serrano, the Wicklow fighter appeared to be wearing a ring on her left hand. 2 2 And during an appearance on the Anything Goes podcast with James English, her dad Pete confirmed that she had indeed tied the knot. He said: "Ever since the fight there with Katie, people are seeing the two of us back together, even some of the s*** you hear about that. "I was reading somewhere that Katie Taylor never got married because of her father, he wouldn't let her. "Katie's married, you know, and I'm thinking, 'where are you getting this s*** from?'" Dad and daughter reunited to work together in the lead-up to the 39-year-old's sensational trilogy win over Amanda Serrano on July 11. Pete had coached her during her amateur career, peaking with her winning an Olympic gold medal in London in 2012. However, they parted ways after Pete split from Katie's mum Bridget. Taylor controversially lost her title at the Rio Olympics in 2016 and turned pro later that year, and has been trained by Ross Enamait ever since. In an exclusive interview with the Irish Sun a week on from her victory over the Puerto Rican, Pete sought to dispel preconceptions concerning their relationship. He said: "We posted online that we were training together, but we were still very close. I was still over visiting her. "This is a media thing that me and Katie got back together for the fight. It's not true. "We've always been close, and we've been talking for the last five or six years. It was just that I didn't get involved in the training. "We were always talking boxing. That's just natural. When I call over to her, we go to the gym together. "She just asked me to help out in this camp, and that was it - but it wasn't that we rekindled this relationship. "We were close all the time. "People love these stories. I think they must have boring lives or something, because they're so interested in other people's lives. "I don't post anything about my own personal life on Instagram. Katie's the same, and then, when we put it up, you could say it went viral. "We've always been close. I was actually shocked that it went so viral, to tell you the truth."
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Could Pep Guardiola's 'imminent' divorce 'hurt Man City'? Sources close to legendary boss say there is 'more urgency' to finalise split as start of season approaches
Pep Guardiola and his wife are set to divorce imminently, as fears grow that their split could hurt Manchester City. The details of the Spanish football manager's divorce from wife Cristina Serra are expected to be finalised within weeks and made official as early as next month, The Sun reports. The couple had hoped to keep their separation on friendly terms, but there is now 'more urgency' as their relationship seems to have deteriorated, sources said. Pep's relationship from estranged wife Cristina has reportedly moved from 'friendly to cordial' amid 'complicated negotiations'. Spanish journalists Laura Fa, who broke the story of their split said: 'The signing of this divorce is going to be imminent. Evidently their relationship sentimentally has come to an end.' And there are now fears his marriage troubles could overshadow the start of the new season, sources say. Daily Mail has approached Manchester City for comment. Pep, 54, and Cristina, 52, have been together for 30 years and got married in 2014. Cristina, who runs a fashion business, struggled to settle in Manchester and moved back to Spain five years ago. The couple reportedly agreed to go their separate ways in December shortly after he signed a new contract with the football club, with sources claiming that it was the last straw for Cristina. The estranged couple even hired the same lawyer to avoid a messy divorce. They both attended an Oasis concert in Heaton Park last month with their two children Maria, 24, and Marius, 22, but were not pictured together. The Manchester City's boss marriage troubles, which were first reported in January, also come during his worst slump as the club's manager. Pep has already said he will leave the club in 2027 after his contract runs out to 'focus on myself'. It was claimed back in April that the couple had been trying to give their marriage a second chance after Pep and his fashion entrepreneur wife spent three days together at their former Barcelona marital home over Easter. It was the second time since news of their shock split became public in January that the former Barcelona footballer had travelled to the Catalan capital and spent time with Cristina. Barcelona-based newspaper El Nacional said after the second reunion they were prepared to 'give each another chance' and claimed 'all was not lost in their marriage.' But the journalists who broke the story of their shock split have shot down the chances of a fresh start for Pep and Cristina after their decision to call time on their 30-year relationship. Lorena Vasquez, one of a duo of well-respected Spanish showbiz reporters who call themselves the Mamarazzis, went on a Spanish TV show in February to say they had launched divorce proceedings which were 'amicable' because they were using the same lawyer. She also linked the split again to the Man City manager's unexpected decision last November to renew his contract with the Premier League club until 2027.
