'I have a fractured tibia' Bronze reveals she played entire tournament with 'very painful' injury

Lucy Bronze revealed after England's Euro 2025 final victory against Spain that she had played the whole tournament with a fractured tibia.

- Tom Garry | St Jakob-Park

The right-back, who went off at half-time of extra time of the final because of an injury to her right knee, said she had played all six matches at the tournament with a fractured tibia in her left leg and described it as "very painful".

Bronze had grabbed attention during the quarter-final win against Sweden for strapping her own thigh deep into extra time before taking off the strapping and scoring a powerful penalty in the shootout.

The 33-year-old - one of whose middle names is Tough - had her right leg heavily strapped as England celebrated retaining the European Championship title in Basel but told the BBC when asked about that: "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.

"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."

Bronze said the two injuries would not hold her back when England continue their celebrations behind closed doors before flying home on Monday and heading on Tuesday to a public celebration event in central London. "I'm going to party, I'm going to enjoy it and that's it."