Fractured Leg, Unbreakable Spirit: Lucy Bronze’s Euros Story
It’s a lesser-known fact that one of Lucy Bronze’s middle names is Tough. And the England defender certainly lived up to it with her Euro 2025 performances.
After the Lionesses saw off Spain in a tense penalty shootout to retain their crown, the Chelsea full-back revealed she had played the entire tournament with a fractured leg.
“I actually played the whole tournament with a fractured tibia, but no-one knew,” she told BBC Sport.
Bronze was one of England’s stalwarts as Sarina Wiegman’s side lifted the trophy for the second successive time.
Only Keira Walsh, Alex Greenwood and Hannah Hampton clocked up more than the 598 minutes she managed throughout the tournament.
Lucy Bronze: Tough as Metal
At 33 years old, Lucy Bronze was England’s oldest player at Euro 2025. She’s played more consecutive tournament football for England than any other.
That stat, as it now transpires, is down to sheer determination and grit rather than dumb luck.
It was her left leg that was fractured throughout the tournament. But during a break in play in the quarter-final against Sweden, Bronze was shown on camera strapping up her right.
With Wiegman having made all of her substitutes, Bronze remained on the field — and it’s lucky she did.
The experienced operator started the comeback before slamming home the winning penalty to send England through to the next round.
Against Spain in Sunday’s climax, Bronze limped through 105 minutes of football before leaving the pitch in tears.
She watched the shootout with a heavily bandaged knee — hopping to join the celebrations when Chloe Kelly powered in the winning spot-kick to clinch the trophy.
“I just hurt my knee today on the other leg,” she added. “That’s why I got a lot of praise from the girls after the Sweden game because I have been in a lot of pain.
“But if that’s what it takes to play for England, that’s what I’ll do — they know that. We inspire each other by playing through things like that and it got us to the end, in the end.”
Asked if the injury would stop her celebrating, Lucy Bronze continued: “It’s very painful. I am going to party, I am going to enjoy it and that’s it.”
Lucy Bronze’s ‘Crazy Mentality’
Now-legendary England boss Sarina Wiegman confirmed Lucy Bronze’s injury after the game.
“She had some issues with her tibia so of course we tried to manage that,” said the Dutchwoman.
“When you play 120 minutes you’re not managing it, are you? The whole team has a great mentality but she has a crazy mentality, it’s unbelievable.”
News of Bronze’s injury only adds to the nation’s adoration for this group. In many ways, her resilience typifies the spirit that carried the Lionesses to Euro glory.
Wiegman’s side trailed in each of their final three matches, somehow managing to pull it from the fire on every occasion.
Two penalty shootouts, a late stoppage-time winner, and a right-back with two heavily injured legs later — they’ve written history.
SEE ALSO: How Hannah Hampton Defied Doctors to Become England’s Euros Hero
