Millie Bright has picked out Lucy Bronze as England’s player of the tournament at the Women’s Euro 2025 and believes the defender deserves her winners’ medal ‘more than anyone’ in the squad.
Bronze, 33, started all six matches across England’s triumphant campaign – just as she had done in 2022 – and headed home a crucial goal to spark the side’s fightback in a thrilling quarter-final victory over Sweden.
On Sunday evening, Bronze was once again at her inspirational best as the Lionesses came from behind to defend their title with a 3-1 win over world champions Spain on penalties.
However, the Chelsea right-back went down in a heap with a knee problem in the second half and had to be taken just before the hour-mark, meaning she was forced to watch the remainder of the final from the sidelines in Basel.
After Sarina Wiegman’s side prevailed in another nerve-jangling shootout to become the first ever English team to win a major tournament on foreign soil, Bronze revealed that she had somehow played the entirety of the Euros with a fractured tibia.
‘I’ve actually played the whole tournament with a fractured tibia, but no one knew,’ Bronze told BBC Sport after making her 36th major tournament appearance for England, more than any other player.
‘And now I’ve just 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 in a lot of pain, but that’s what it takes to play for England so that’s what I’ll do.
‘They know that, I think we inspire each other by playing through things like that and it got to the end, in the end.’
Asked just how painful the injury had been, Bronze bluntly replied: ‘Very painful.’
Bright, who formed part of Wiegman’s defence alongside Bronze in 2022, showered her old team-mate with praise as she dissected England’s heroics on the Daly Brightness podcast.
According to Bright, Bronze was the Lionesses’ standout player in Switzerland and once again proved that she is prepared to ‘do anything’ to get her hands on a winners’ medal.
‘Lucy doesn’t go down! When I see her holding that knee, I get scared and then when she went back on… she’ll run through a million brick walls and she’s not coming off unless she has to,’ Bright said.
‘Obviously, in those moments there have been so many injuries and players going back on the pitch and you don’t know if you’re making it worse, but Lucy would do anything for that medal and she deserves it the most of any player.
‘I think she’s been unbelievable at this tournament, by the way. I think she’s been our best player throughout the whole tournament, that leader, she’s been driving us forward, rallying the girls together.
‘In the tough moments, she’s the one that has been pushing us forward and making sure everyone is in place.
‘We know she will have been looking after the youngsters, but she deserves it more than anyone so I’m so, so chuffed for her. She really does deserve it.’
Bright also gave special mention to Chloe Kelly, applauding the Arsenal forward bouncing back from a ‘dark moment’ in her career to help inspire the Lionesses to a second straight European Championship title.
‘I’ve got no words for her. She’s the kindest human you could ever meet, the best team-mate,’ the Chelsea captain said of Kelly.
‘She accepts her role, whether it’s five minutes on the pitch, no minutes on the pitch, training player, starter. She’ll be the best team-mate you could ever, ever ask for.
‘She’s probably one of the most underrated players and I think people have finally seen how world-class she is. That move to Arsenal has just resparked her.
‘Fair play, all that she’s gone through… about to quit football, mistreated in an environment to the point where she felt like quitting football and couldn’t play.
‘Now look at her, one of the best players in the world. She’s literally saved England and saved Arsenal as well.’
While the Lionesses made life difficult for themselves throughout the knockout rounds, Bright is adamant ‘nothing else matters’ now that the trophy has been secured.
‘I feel like I’ve been at the tournament to be honest! I feel so drained,’ she continued.
‘Honestly, it’s crazy, but unbelievable and the resilience the girls have shown over the whole tournament.
‘It’s not been perfect, but who gives a s***? You’ve got a medal around your neck, you’re lifting the trophy again and you’ve made history, back-to-back champions. Nothing else matters.
‘I’m so proud of everyone and I’m so, so happy for the girls. It’s actually been a really proud and nice moment.
‘It’s been my first tournament watching from a different angle and I’ve done a lot of pacing and stuff. You feel like you’re there and you’re present, but you can’t influence.
‘But it’s been so nice to see the youngsters coming through, everyone contributing and that team together, it’s been a real joy to watch from the sides.’
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