A Remarkable Achievement by Lucy Bronze at Euro 2025
Lucy Bronze, the veteran right-back for the England women’s national team, has made headlines not just for her performance during Euro 2025, but for the incredible resilience she displayed throughout the tournament. The 33-year-old player revealed that she had been competing with a fractured tibia, a condition that would have likely sidelined most athletes.
Bronze played a crucial role in Sariana Wiegman’s victorious team, contributing significantly to England’s success. She logged 598 minutes across the competition, ranking fourth among her teammates. Her presence was felt in every match, as she featured in all of England’s games. Although she was substituted in the later stages of two group matches, she managed to endure back-to-back 120-minute contests in the quarterfinals and semifinals, where the team advanced through extra time.
In the final, which ended in a 1-1 draw against Spain, Bronze was forced off at half-time during the extra session. England eventually triumphed 3-1 on penalties in Basel. When questioned about a knee injury sustained during the game, Bronze admitted that she had already been playing through a more severe issue.
“I have actually played the whole tournament with a fractured tibia,” she shared with BBC Sport. “And then I have hurt my knee on my other leg. That’s why I got a lot of praise from the girls after the Sweden game, as I’ve been in a lot of pain. If that’s what it takes to play for England, that’s what I’ll do. Very painful.”
Despite confirming the fracture, Bronze has not disclosed the full extent of her injury. However, Dr. Mark Bowditch, President of the British Orthopaedic Association, described her ability to compete as remarkable. Bowditch, a consultant knee and sports surgeon, explained that Bronze likely suffered from a stress or fatigue fracture, a common injury among athletes.
“Fractures of the tibia range from partial break, such as a stress or fatigue split, through to a complete break and separation,” he said. “A complete break is a high-energy sudden injury from a fall from a height, twist or direct blow. You cannot continue to play on or even walk on a complete break. Stress/fatigue fractures are low-energy repeated injuries and usually seen in athletes or army personnel. They normally present with pain after activity, rather than a sudden incident.”
Bowditch suggested that the England medical team must have adjusted Bronze’s training regimen to allow her to stay on the pitch. “She probably has had to reduce the amount of training she has done in between games or train in a low weight-bearing environment such as a swimming pool or anti-gravity trainer,” he added. He praised the work of Dr. Ritan Mehta and the Lionesses’ medical team for their efforts in keeping Bronze active.
England manager Sariana Wiegman acknowledged the challenges of managing Bronze’s injury during the tournament. She made strategic substitutions in the latter stages of group matches against the Netherlands and Wales, ensuring that the team maintained its lead and secured a spot in the knockout rounds.
Bronze’s performance highlights not only her physical endurance but also her commitment to the team. Her ability to push through pain and continue playing at the highest level is a testament to her dedication and professionalism. It remains to be seen how her injury will affect her future career, but her contribution to Euro 2025 will not be forgotten.
