Lucy Bronze: The Chelsea full-back was named England’s Player of the Year after the Euros

Lucy Bronze says she puts her “heart and soul” into every match after being named England’s Player of the Year for 2024-25.

Fans chose the Chelsea full-back in the year that ended with the Lionesses winning Euro 2025 in Switzerland.

Bronze, 33, said: “I wasn’t expecting that, but it’s always nice to get appreciation, especially from England fans.”

“I love playing for England and have put my heart and soul into every game for the last 12 years. In that regard, it’s a huge honour, especially after such a crazy year with the European Championship. I’m very proud.”

Al-Bronze participated in 16 matches with England in the 2024-2025 season, 15 of which were starts, and he started in all six matches in the European Championship.

With her team trailing 2-0 in the quarter-final against Sweden, it was her 79th-minute header that sparked the comeback that led to penalties. Bronze, with her thigh strapped, scored the winning penalty kick.

After playing 106 minutes of the final match in which her team won over Spain – which was also decided on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw – Bronze revealed that she played in the tournament while suffering from a broken leg.

She has made 140 caps since making her debut in 2013, ranking fourth on the list of all-time players alongside Alex Scott.

Bronze, a two-time European champion, has played in 36 matches across seven major tournaments, more than any other player in the Lionesses’ history.

She added: “For me, 2015 was a real stepping stone as an England player, and I feel like 2019 is when I reached my peak as an individual, but this year was something I couldn’t have imagined.”

“The way we won the European Championship and the hype surrounding it and women’s football in general this year was out of this world.”

Arsenal striker Chloe Kelly, who scored the penalty kick that won England over Spain, and Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, player of the match in the final, took second and third places, respectively.

Despite making just two appearances for Chelsea this season due to injury, Bronzy has been included in the England squad for friendlies against Brazil (25 October, 17:30 GMT) and Australia (28 October, 19:00 GMT).