‘She is not human’ – Bronze played entire Euros with fractured leg

Tough, England defender Lucy Bronze’s middle name, perfectly captures her performances at Euro 2025.

The Chelsea full-back admitted to playing the entire tournament with a broken leg after the Lionesses won the European title against Spain in a penalty shootout.

No-one knew that I had a fractured tibia throughout the entire tournament, according to Bronze.

She played 598 minutes for Sarina Wiegman’s side, joining only Keira Walsh, Alex Greenwood, and Hannah Hampton, who were England’s oldest players at Euro 2025, at the age of 33 years, eight months, and 30 days.

When Wiegman made all of her substitutions in the quarter-final against Sweden, she was captured film self-strapping support around her right leg during a break.

After assisting her team to recover from a 2-0 deficit to end the match, Bronze then slammed her spot-kick into the top of the net to give England the winning penalty.

She was unable to play in the tense enounter in Sunday’s showpiece because she was ill once more but managed 105 minutes while playing against Spain before being forced to leave the pitch in tears.

“My knee hurt on the other leg today,” said Bronze. Because I’ve been suffering a lot, I got a lot of praise from the girls after the Sweden game.

They are aware of this, but if that’s what it takes to play for England, I’ll do that. We play through things like that to inspire each other, which ultimately led to our mutual success.

When asked if her condition will prevent her from giggling in Basel, Bronze replied, “It’s very painful. That’s it, I’m going to a party, I’m going to enjoy it, and that’s it.

After the game, Wiegman confirmed Bronze’s injury and claimed the experienced player had a “crazy mentality.”

We made an effort to manage her tibia because she had some issues, “added the Dutchwoman.” You’re not managing it when you play 120 minutes, are you?

Ellen White, her former England teammate, said to BBC Sport after learning about Bronze’s injury: “I mean this in the nicest way, but she is not human.

She is true England, even though I adore and love her.

It is unheard to say that she has just won a major tournament while her tibia has sprained. She slammed that ball in for the Sweden game because she must have been insane.

The girls should credit her, fair play. Lucy Bronze will give everything she can to play for England and win as well.

Steph Houghton, a former England captain who also played for Bronze, called her an “absolute legend of women’s football.”

She said, “To be playing that many games consecutively in tournament football is a great accomplishment.