Lucy Bronze unveils that she played the whole Euro 2025 with fractured tibia!

In a revelation that underscores the immense grit of England's Lionesses, defender Lucy Bronze has disclosed that she played the entirety of the Euro 2025 tournament with a fractured tibia. The 33-year-old right-back, who was forced off during extra time of the dramatic final against Spain due to a new injury to her right knee, confirmed she had played all six matches with the existing fracture in her left leg, describing the experience as "very painful."

Bronze had already drawn attention during the quarter-final victory against Sweden when she strapped her own thigh deep into extra time, only to remove it and powerfully convert a penalty in the subsequent shootout. Her revelation now adds another layer to that display of resilience.

"I’ve actually played the whole tournament with a fractured tibia but no one knew and then I’ve hurt my knee today on the other leg," Bronze told the BBC amidst England's celebrations in Basel. "I think that’s why I got a lot of praise from the girls after the Sweden game – because I’ve been through a lot of pain. But that’s what it takes to play for England. That’s what I’ll do. They know that and I think we inspire each other by playing through things like that and it got us to the end."

Despite the physical toll, Bronze affirmed that the injuries would not hinder her participation in England's post-victory celebrations, including their behind-closed-doors party, Monday's flight home, and Tuesday's public celebration event in central London. "I’m going to party, I’m going to enjoy it and that’s it," she declared.

Meanwhile, Chloe Kelly's winning spot-kick capped an astonishing turnaround in her career fortunes. Since January, when she expressed public frustration over not being in Manchester City's plans, forcing a deadline-day loan to Arsenal, Kelly has ascended remarkably. She helped Arsenal win the Champions League before her starring role with England in Switzerland. "There were a lot of tears at full-time, especially when I saw my family, because those were the people that got me through those tough, dark moments," Kelly shared. "If that’s a story to tell, [for] someone that maybe experiences something the same: tough times don’t last. Just around the corner was a Champions League final, won that. Then a Euros final, won that. Thank you to everyone that wrote me off, I’m grateful."

Kelly also credited England coach Sarina Wiegman for her belief. "She’s bloody amazing. She’s an incredible woman; what she’s done for this country, we should all be so grateful for. What she’s done for me individually, she gave me hope when I probably didn’t have any."

Wiegman, who has now won this title three times in a row since 2017, described England’s multiple comeback victories throughout the tournament as making it "the most chaotic and ridiculous tournament we have played." The triumphant manager added, "I’m very happy. I actually can’t believe it myself. How can this happen? But it happened. I’m so incredibly proud of the team and the staff. We’re just going to party tonight!" She reiterated to the BBC, "The word ‘team’ really described who we are – a team. We said we can win by any means and that’s what we have shown again today… From the first game it was chaos. Losing your first game and becoming European champions is incredible. Football is chaos."

Bronze, who made her 36th major tournament appearance for the Lionesses, surpassing Jill Scott’s record, echoed the sentiment of team unity: "We’ve shown everyone to believe in yourself no matter what other people say about you and to believe in the people who give you that support."

Following Kelly’s winning penalty that secured England’s European crown defense, the Football Association swiftly announced a homecoming celebration. Wiegman and her team will embark on an open-top bus procession along the Mall from 12:10 PM, culminating in a staged ceremony in front of Buckingham Palace at approximately 12:30 PM, open for all fans to attend. "It’s going to be crazy," Kelly anticipated. "I hope the whole of England comes out to support us and shows the love to all these girls because they deserve it."

Meanwhile, Spain coach Montse Tomé expressed her belief that her team deserved more, despite the loss. "I think this team deserved more. I feel we worked hard during a long time to reach this moment, to reach this final against a high-level national team as England, and what we saw during the game makes me feel that the team deserved having more, not leaving with this bitter feeling. This is sport. You must know how to lose and today we missed the penalties. I think we were better but football is a sport where not always the best team wins. England is an excellent national team."