The Football Interview is a new series, hosted by Kelly Somers, featuring prominent figures from the worlds of sports and entertainment in candid, in-depth conversations about football.
Through discussions of mindset, motivation, pivotal moments, career highlights, and personal reflections, The Football Interview offers insights into the individuals behind the athletes.
Episodes will be available on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sounds, and the BBC Sport website. This week’s interview is scheduled to air on BBC One (excluding Wales) at 15:40 GMT on Saturday, September 6th.
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Lucy Bronze stands as one of England’s most accomplished female footballers.
With 140 international caps and two European Championship titles, Bronze has represented the Lionesses in seven major tournaments.
The right-back played every match in the Euro 2022 victory and again three years later when England defended their title in Switzerland.
At the club level, Bronze boasts five Champions League titles, four Women’s Super League titles, and was a key member of Chelsea’s Treble-winning squad last season.
In this interview, the 33-year-old discusses with Kelly Somers her aspirations for Euro 2025, competing with a fractured leg throughout the previous tournament, early rejection by England, and her strong Portuguese roots.
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‘”Don’t worry, I’ll play with broken leg’ – Bronze”
Kelly Somers: What does football signify to you?
Lucy Bronze: Its significance has evolved over the years. Initially, it was my entire world, perhaps too much so. I’ve never regarded it as merely a job. However, its meaning now is different. There’s the football I actively play, and then there’s the broader football community I’m part of, the larger picture. That holds great value for me now.
KS: Your career has paralleled the growth of women’s football. Initially, it was just playing; now, it seems like a movement?
LB: I consider myself fortunate that my career has mirrored the trajectory of women’s football in England. My breakthrough came in 2015, which coincided with a pivotal moment for England football, and the rise of the WSL. With each tournament, the stage expands, and football grows in tandem with my career. I’ve always felt lucky to share this journey with women’s football.
KS: What’s your earliest memory of playing?
LB: Playing with my older brother sparked my interest. When I was younger, people would ask, ‘Is his sister coming?’ And he would confidently reply, ‘Yes, and she’s on my team because she’s good.’ He never had an issue with it and wouldn’t let me win without earning it. I never faced the ‘girls can’t play’ or ‘it’s not girls’ football’ mentality because my family and brother exemplified inclusivity.
KS: Who significantly influenced your career?
LB: Ray Smith, my Alnwick Town coach, was the first. He was a painter and decorator who volunteered with the team on weekends. At 12, the FA informed me that I could no longer play on the boys’ team due to regulations. My mother explained that there were no other options, and we couldn’t afford to take me elsewhere. Ray then approached my mum, saying, ‘Please find Lucy a team; she’ll play for England one day.’
KS: What was a major turning point in your career? Perhaps that conversation?
LB: Going to America was crucial. My mum researched women’s football, and the USA stood out: college, Mia Hamm, World Cup, Olympic champions—everything related to women’s football was the USA. She suggested we go there the next summer, save up, and see if my dream was possible. This was during Bend it like Beckham , making the US a hot topic. At a soccer camp, a coach saw me play and offered me a scholarship when I was old enough. England had rejected me, so I went back to America, which was a major turning point, though I only stayed for a year.
KS: Tell me about England rejecting you…
LB: I was in the youth age groups, but I wasn’t a star or singled out. They offered scholarships and funding, but I was never chosen. They had a full-time training and study program at Loughborough. At my age, you either went there or to Arsenal’s academy, and I was the only one not in either. I applied to Loughborough, and they said I wasn’t good enough. My mum called to ask how I could improve, but they never responded. So, she decided, ‘America, let’s go’.
KS: If you could relive one match, which would it be?
LB: Reliving the 2015 World Cup, my second tournament but first time playing, particularly the fourth game where I secured the right-back spot from Alex Scott. I scored a memorable goal, England advanced, and I felt like I had arrived.
KS: You could have chosen matches from the summer. When we think of Lucy Bronze and Euro 2025, we think, ‘She won a major tournament with a broken leg.’ How did you manage that?
LB: I was in pain for nearly a month, but I couldn’t pinpoint the cause. It didn’t make sense, and people dismissed it, saying it couldn’t be broken because the pain would be too severe. When I mentioned it to the England doctor, who has known me for ten years, he insisted on checking it. That’s when we discovered the fracture, which was a relief. However, playing the first game with that knowledge was strange. By the time prep camps came, I wasn’t training, and when people questioned it, I simply said, ‘I have a broken leg, but I’ll be fine. I’ll play.’
KS: In the quarter-final penalty shootout against Sweden, you weren’t among the first penalty takers. Did you want to take one?
LB: Before the tournament, we indicate which penalty we’re willing to take. I always say, ‘Whatever you want, I’ll do it. First, last, whatever.’ We usually practice penalties at the end of training, but I couldn’t due to my leg. I was seventh, thinking I probably wouldn’t take one. I stood in line, cheering on the girls, trying to give them my energy and confidence.
KS: But you took the penalty confidently…
LB: It wasn’t the best shootout; we were all nervous. Looking down the line, I saw many young players. When I had to take the penalty, I thought, ‘I’ve got this’.
KS: Fast forward to the tournament’s end, what was on your mind?
LB: I’m very confident with England, so I felt we’d win the penalties. Experiencing the Sweden game, Spain hadn’t gone through that, and experience counts. As the seventh penalty taker, I trusted the girls on the pitch, cheering and celebrating because I knew it would happen. I had faith in Hannah [Hampton] and the others, so it wasn’t a big surprise when we won.
The Football Interview – Lucy Bronze
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Bronze admits to playing with a fractured leg throughout Euros
KS: Let’s delve into Lucy Bronze away from football. You were named Lucia Roberta Tough Bronze – and everyone says ‘Tough’ is rather fitting. You’ve demonstrated that throughout your career.
LB: It’s my mum’s maiden name from the English side. The women I’m closest to on that side are my nan, auntie, and mum. The ‘Tough’ women. My auntie was a policewoman, and my mum was a maths teacher, so tough by name, tough by nature. They share stories about their work and succeeding as women. I’ve grown up with that. It’s my name, but I’ve inherited the tough women in my life. I had no other choice.
KS: Your dad is Portuguese. Do you consider yourself half Portuguese?
LB: I was only born in England because my mum’s dad passed away the week before. We flew back for his funeral and stayed, but that wasn’t the plan. We always went back to Portugal for breaks. The kids at school would say, ‘You’re going to Portugal again?’ We spent Christmases, summers, and half-terms there, growing up with Portugal.
KS: You’re passionate about football’s future and are on a Professional Footballers’ Association board. You give back a lot…
LB: I try. My mum told me, ‘When you speak, people listen.’ I didn’t realize that as a shy girl, but in my 20s, she said, ‘They’ll listen to you; you can speak up.’ I volunteered for every player board in women’s football. I want to help people.
KS: Can you give an example of going out of your way to help someone?
LB: The GB deaf football team is going to the Deaf Olympics in November but were struggling to raise money. I gave them £10,000 for training kit, nutrition, and extras.
KS: Why did you want to do that?
LB: I had the opportunity, so why shouldn’t they? Just because they’re not mainstream and can’t get sponsors shouldn’t mean they can’t afford to do it.
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‘They did that the hard way!’ – England win penalty shootout against Sweden
KS: What is something people misunderstand about you?
LB: That I’m overly driven, arrogant, or too focused.
KS: Some think you’re arrogant?
LB: Maybe when I was younger, but it’s just me being focused. I’ve spoken about being autistic and quickly finding solutions. I’ve always been good at that, not slowing down for others. It can come across wrong, like being bullish, but I just want to help. I can offer the solution, though I understand that’s not always wanted. That might have led to misunderstandings.
KS: You openly discussed your autism diagnosis, and the response was incredible. Did that surprise you?
LB: I spoke about it months ago, and much has happened since. People still want me to discuss it. It surprised me because it’s just who I am. It makes me unique, but I’ve never seen myself that way. Sharing it is nice because others experience it, and the response was amazing. People approached me in the street about themselves or their kids. At a Chelsea game, a young boy told me it was cool that I was autistic too and played for Chelsea. That was nice, showing him that it’s not bad, naughty, or different. He can feel that it’s not bad, and I can play football well because of it. I’ve said that my autism has made me a better footballer.
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Lucy Bronze opens up about autism & ADHD diagnoses