England Lioness Lucy Bronze's baby bombshell with famous boyfriend

Lioness legend Lucy Bronze’s England team are entering Women’s Euro 2025 as the defending champions – so the stakes are high. But in a wide-ranging chat with Women’s Health UK, Lucy, 33, says she fancies her team’s chances at lifting the cup once again. Recognised as one of the best female football players in the world, Lucy is going to this month’s Euros, her seventh major tournament, with her eyes firmly on the prize.

The Chelsea right-back, who in her interview also opens up about having autism and ADHD, reveals she got into the sport because it “was the only way she could connect with people”. One of England’s most decorated female players, she says she and her teammates have talked about what they’ve achieved in the past – but they are a “new England” now, as they head into Euro 2025, and are more than ready to create their “own history”.

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The squad’s self-proclaimed “bossy mum”, Lucy hopes this new England approach will lighten the load for the new Lioness cubs.

“There are people going to the Euros and it’ll be their first ever tournament wearing an England shirt. You want them to enjoy that. And I think taking away that pressure is a great way for them to do it.”

The sporting star also speaks movingly about what she calls her “superpower”, autism, though she admits the world still wants her to fit a certain mould.

Four years ago, on the suggestion of an England team psychologist, Lucy was tested for, then diagnosed with, autism and ADHD. She bravely went public with her diagnosis last year, and she praises her neurodiversity for helping her reach the dizzying sporting heights she has achieved to date.

“It’s made me successful – it makes me obsessed with things, it makes me think 10 steps ahead – but I wish it didn’t take being a successful footballer for me to be free to be who I am.

“That’s the thing – everything in the world is set for one generic way. If you don’t fit that standard, where do you fit in?”

Lucy may have conquered British women’s football, but fascinatingly, she is a very big fish from a very, very small pond. While her birthplace is often listed as Berwick-upon-Tweed, about 60 miles north of Newcastle, Lucy was actually born on The Holy Island of Lindisfarne.

Accessible only at low tide, the Island has a population of around 160, and along with the English folk-rock group Lindisfarne, Lucy is arguably its most famous export.

The oldest Lioness at 33, the subject of retirement is something Lucy has considered. Asked about her future when she eventually steps down from professional sport, she admits she’s “not as good” as she was six years ago – but is learning to celebrate her incredible achievements.

And she has a few ideas about her future. “I could get a corporate job. I could try to be part of the Federation or Fifa.”

But as Lucy, who is in a relationship withSpanish footballer Ona Batlle, admits, there’s only one thing that she’s “dying” to do – and that is to have a family of her own.

“My brother’s got two kids and that’s what I’m most jealous of, seeing my niece and nephew. But there’s plenty of time for that...”

The full interview is available in the July/August issue of Women’s Health UK, on sale now

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