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Meet the David Beckham of women's football, the 'cat mum'... and the star who tattooed her own leg! Your guide to the Lionesses going for more glory

Meet the David Beckham of women's football, the 'cat mum'... and the star who tattooed her own leg! Your guide to the Lionesses going for more glory

Daily Mail​27-07-2025
England are one win away from defending their European crown as they prepare to face World Cup holders Spain in Sunday's UEFA Women's Euro 2025 final.
Sarina Wiegman 's Lionesses are bidding for back-to-back titles after lifting the trophy in 2021 — but this time, they face the side that broke English hearts in the 2023 World Cup final.
The showdown at Basel's St. Jakob-Park promises to be a blockbuster, with stars on both sides capable of deciding the contest.
From experienced leaders to breakout stars, England's squad is packed with personality, flair and fierce determination.
There's the 'cat mum', the PlayStation queen, and the tattoo addict — plus leaders like Leah Williamson and icons like Lucy Bronze.
Read on to meet the Lionesses gunning for more glory.
Hannah Hampton (Chelsea)
Age: 24 | Caps: 21 | Clean sheets: 9
Hannah was a former team-mate of mine at Aston Villa, and she's incredibly intelligent.
She's multilingual, artistic, creative — and definitely a bit of a character. She fits that classic mould of goalkeepers being just a little bit mad, in the best way.
With all the noise that followed Mary Earps' departure, it's fair to say Hannah has silenced the critics and proved she belongs at the top.
Khiara Keating (Man City)
Age: 21 | Caps: 0 | Clean sheets: 0
Khiara is like an Energizer bunny. She's got a big personality — bubbly, funny and really social.
She knows how to get the girls laughing and carries herself with real confidence. She always takes her PlayStation wherever she goes!
Anna Moorhouse (Orlando)
Age: 30 | Caps: 0 | Clean sheets: 0
As one of the more experienced players in the squad, Anna has brought a calm, composed presence to the goalkeeping unit throughout this tournament.
Lucy Bronze (Chelsea)
Age: 33 | Caps: 139 | Goals: 20
Lucy is one of our superstars and has reached incredible heights in her career. If you were to ask, 'What does a winning mentality look like?' the answer would be Lucy Bronze.
She's a tell-it-to-you-straight kind of person and because she's experienced women's football before and after it became professional, she continues to push tirelessly for progress and change.
She's also an exemplary leader in how she plays the game. That 'never give up' attitude we've seen from England — a big part of that comes from Lucy.
Jess Carter (Gotham FC)
Age: 27 | Caps: 50 | Goals: 2
Jess is a really cool character and someone who gets along with everyone.
There's a real sense of trust when she's on the pitch — her physicality means she's not easily pushed off the ball.
Off the field, she's calm and laid back, but once she's in the game, she's hungry and never shy about putting in a challenge.
Niamh Charles (Chelsea)
Age: 26 | Caps: 28 | Goals: 0
Niamh is an athletic full back who has really grown into the role after beginning her career as a winger at Liverpool.
Now a key figure at Chelsea, she's made significant strides in her attacking game recently. She's been managing a long-term shoulder injury — were it not for that setback, she likely would have been in the starting line-up.
Alex Greenwood (Man City)
Age: 31 Caps: 104 | Goals: 7
She's one of the best, if not the best, ball-playing defenders in the country. A captain at her club, she's a proper leader.
Alex has adapted well to being asked to be a left back after starting the tournament in her natural centre-back position.
Alex can come across as quite serious but she's a player that the rest of the squad can go to if they need to get something off their chest.
Maya Le Tissier (Man Utd)
Age: 23 | Caps: 8 | Goals: 0
Maya is an outstanding young defender who has just come off an exceptional season at Manchester United, where she captained the side in her first year — an incredible achievement at just 23.
She thrives on the core responsibilities of defending, making tackles, breaking up attacks and reading the game with intelligence. But she also brings real quality on the ball, with the ability to strike from distance.
She's also just a really lovely girl. I was with her at the World Sevens Tournament and she was having a great time at the after party!
Esme Morgan (Washington)
Age: 24 | Caps: 16 | Goals: 0
Esme is a warm and grounded young woman — she recently adopted a cat named Biscuit while in Washington and proudly wears the title of 'cat mum'.
She's a true team player, always willing to do whatever is best for the group. Esme has consistently been the first defensive substitute off the bench, a testament to her reliability.
Leah Williamson (Arsenal)
Age: 28 | Caps: 63 | Goals: 5
Leah is a big player with a big profile — almost like the David Beckham of the women's team. The England captain has become something of a fashion icon off the pitch.
After missing the World Cup through a serious knee injury, this tournament marks her return to major competition — and it feels like having a new player in the squad.
Leah is one of the best distributors from the centre-back position alongside Alex. She's also a proven big-game player. Leah was outstanding in the Champions League final and made a crucial last-ditch tackle in the dramatic quarter-final win against Sweden.
Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal)
Age: 26 | Caps: 13 | Goals: 1
Lotte is an exceptional and deeply intelligent individual. When she's playing regularly and injury free, she's one of the most consistent performers in any team.
Lotte is also known for standing for more than just football — she's passionate about using her platform to drive meaningful social change.
Following England's Euro 2022 victory, she played a leading role in drafting the squad's open letter to the UK Government, which ultimately led to a commitment for guaranteed weekly PE and equal access to sport for girls in schools nationwide.
Grace Clinton (Man Utd)
Age: 22 | Caps: 15 | Goals: 3
Grace is a real character — a cheeky chappy with a spark about her. When she came to Bristol on loan while I was technical coach, we knew straight away she was a special talent, destined to go far.
She's always had this quiet confidence in her ability and a drive to take control of a game and make things happen. There's a little glint in her eye too. She's got a great sense of humour and brings real personality to the group.
Jess Park (Man City)
Age: 23 | Caps: 20 | Goals: 3
Jess is a cool customer. On the pitch, she's exciting to watch — agile, sharp, and able to glide past players with ease thanks to her low centre of gravity. She thrives in that No 10 role, finding pockets of space and creating opportunities.
Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich)
Age: 26 | Caps: 83 | Goals: 24
Jill Scott and Steph Houghton told me that when Georgia was younger and coming through the Manchester City set up, she was very quiet and introverted — barely able to say a word to anyone.
But now look at her: she's blossomed into a senior player with bags of experience and is one of the biggest voices in the team.
Georgia is obsessed with tattooing — she even tattooed her own left leg while her right leg was in a brace due to injury and I'd love for her to give me a tattoo after the tournament!
Ella Toone (Man Utd)
Age: 25 | Caps: 64 | Goals: 23
Ella has been one of the real positives of this England team.
After such a difficult year where she lost her dad at the beginning of the season, it's been incredible to see her come through all of that and play so well. That natural telepathy that she shares with Russo has been on full display.
I love listening to her and Alessia going on about all sorts of ridiculous things. During the kit launch, they had Ella in these high socks, shoes, and a skirt, and she was looking around at everyone else like, 'You guys look brilliant — what have they put me in?'. She just doesn't take herself too seriously.
Ella Toone does not take herself too seriously but she is a brilliant player with immense talent
Keira Walsh (Chelsea)
Age: 28 | Caps: 92 | Goals: 2
I remember Jill Scott telling me about Keira when she was younger, saying, 'This kid is so good.' It's almost like she doesn't even realise how talented she is.
She's been such a central cog for England for years now — a catalyst for how they play and how we move the ball forward. You get the sense that when Keira plays well, England play well.
She's absolutely key to Sunday's result — we need to find ways to get her on the ball early and let her dictate the tempo.
Michelle Agyemang (Arsenal)
Age: 19 | Caps: 4 | Goals: 3
There probably aren't enough adjectives to describe Michelle Agyemang. This tournament has been incredible for her.
She was only recently part of the Under 23 camp, and she's still technically an Under 19. Watching her here feels like witnessing a star being born right before our eyes.
Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea)
Age: 21 | Caps: 11 | Goals: 6
Aggie has been another key player for the Under-23s and has earned her place in the senior squad thanks to her fine performances at Chelsea.
Who knows what she could achieve once she starts more regularly for England?.
Lauren Hemp (Man City)
Age: 24 | Caps: 69 | Goals: 19
Lauren Hemp is one of the most frightening forwards for any opposition — thanks to her electric pace, explosiveness, and ability to cut both inside and outside.
She's a genuine game-changer and an assist machine. I don't think any defender in their right mind wants to face her one on one.
That said, it's fair to say she hasn't quite been at her best so far at this tournament.
Lauren James (Chelsea)
Age: 23 | Caps: 33 | Goals: 9
She's the creative spark of the team, playing with real ingenuity.
Off the field, Lauren is one of the quieter personalities — calm and composed, much like how she plays. Her celebration fits perfectly. She's a chill girl.
That said, like Lauren Hemp, we haven't quite seen the best of her during this tournament due to injury.
Chloe Kelly (Arsenal)
Age: 27 | Caps: 58 | Goals: 9
Another England saviour and a true big-tournament player. Chloe scored that unforgettable goal to finish off Germany at Wembley in 2022, and now she's doing it again.
It feels like she comes to every tournament with a new celebration — her one after the Italy game, telling everyone to keep calm because she was never going to miss the rebound, was iconic.
Beth Mead (Arsenal)
Age: 30 | Caps: 73 | Goals: 37
Beth has been really influential in this tournament, especially against Italy. As the Golden Boot winner at the 2022 Euros, she's adapted to a slightly different role this time around due to the wealth of attacking talent in the squad. She's a great character and an important presence for the team.
Alessia Russo (Arsenal)
Age: 26 | Caps: 56 | Goals: 24
I love this kid.
The way she carries herself — she's such a hardworking, humble player. She's stepped into the No 9 role for England and has handled all the pressure that comes with being a striker who hasn't necessarily scored a lot of goals.
But it's her tireless work that allows the team to exploit the opposition. She comes across as really likeable and has a strong support system around her.
Everyone knows her family now — especially her brother Giorgio, who recently appeared on Love Island!
Alessia Russo, 26, has been cheered on by brother her Giorgio, recently of Love Island fame
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