England’s Lucy Bronze says she played in Euros with fractured leg: ‘It’s painful but I’m going to party’ – The New York Times

England defender Lucy Bronze says that she played the entirety of the Women’s European Championship tournament with a fractured tibia in her left leg. 
The 33-year-old played in all six of England’s successful Euro campaign, including playing 105 minutes in the final against Spain, which England won via a penalty kick shootout.
However, the Chelsea defender, who was taken off at half-time of extra-time with a knee injury, revealed after the final whistle that she had entered the tournament with an injury.
Speaking to BBC Sport after the win, she said: “I’ve played the whole tournament with a fractured tibia, but nobody knew, and I’ve hurt my knee today on my other leg. 
“Which is why the girls gave me a lot of love after the Sweden game because I’ve been in a lot of pain. If that is what it takes to play for England, that is what I’ll do. It’s very painful, but I’m going to party.”
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Bronze, who was playing in her seventh major tournament with England, had several key moments during Euro 2025, including a pivotal penalty during the shootout victory over Sweden on July 17.
The defender celebrated with her teammates with a visible bandage on her right knee and was seen struggling to walk during post-match jubilation. The Euros victory was Bronze’s 26th career trophy.
“We never lost belief in ourselves,” she added. “There was a lot of noise on the outside, but we stuck together. To go to extra time back to back to back is incredible. We give each other energy and what we’ve done today is incredible.
“I don’t think we were thinking too much about the World Cup (final defeat). It always goes that they win, then we win, then they win, so it was our turn today.
“To win on penalties is an amazing feeling, but to lose on penalties is the worst feeling. They (Spain) are great players and they’ve achieved a lot. It wasn’t meant for them today, it was meant for England.”
(Photo: Maryam Majd/Getty Images)
Nnamdi Onyeagwara joined us in November 2022, initially helping us cover the World Cup before becoming a Junior News Editor in January 2023. Born in North London, Nnamdi attended Nottingham Trent University and previously worked at The Voice and the Barnet Post. Follow Nnamdi on Twitter @nnamdionye

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