Lucy Bronze demonstrated true resilience. © ANSA / ENNIO LEANZA

Unbelievable: With a broken tibia to the European title

Athletes often endure great physical pain to achieve success – but England’s footballer Lucy Bronze went a step further at the European Championships.

July 28, 2025

From: dpa

The 33-year-old played the entire tournament in Switzerland with a broken left tibia. "But nobody knew about it," Bronze revealed after the final, which the defending champions won 3-1 on penalties against favorites Spain. "It's very painful, but I'm going to celebrate," she added with a smile.

Bronze was the Lionesses' oldest player at the European Championships and, despite her injury, played a total of 598 minutes – only three other English players logged more playing time. She caused a stir in the quarterfinals when she applied a bandage to her right leg and later scored the decisive goal with a powerful shot in the penalty shootout.

Three extensions in a row

In the final, she was substituted in extra time – but not because of her shin. "I injured the knee on my other leg today," she told the BBC. "That's why I got so much praise from the girls after the Sweden game, because I was in so much pain. But if that's what it takes to play for England, then I'll do it."

Lucy Bronze (here against Aitana Bonmati). © APA/afp / FABRICE COFFRINI

National coach Sarina Wiegman praised her veteran defender's "incredible mentality." "She had some problems with her shin, so of course we tried to get that under control. But when you play 120 minutes, that's not possible, is it?" Wiegman said.

"Inhuman"

The English women needed at least extra time in all three knockout matches to advance – Bronze played through to the quarterfinals and semifinals. "I mean that in the nicest way, but it's inhuman," said Bronze's former teammate and BBC pundit Ellen White appreciatively.