Lucy Bronze: ‘I've played the whole tournament with a fractured tibia'
Bronze, who started every game of the tournament, was forced off in extra time before the Lionesses went on to beat Spain 3-1 on penalties.
The Chelsea defender had been playing through the pain barrier but could not continue when she picked up another injury on her right knee.
'I've actually played the whole tournament with a fractured tibia but no one knew,' Bronze said after the game.
'Then I've just hurt my knee today on the other leg. That's why I think that's why I got a lot of praise from the girls and after the Sweden game because I've been in a lot of pain, but that's what it takes to play for England.
'That's what I'll do. They know that, I think we inspire each other by playing through things like that, and they got us to the end of them in the end. It was very painful but I'm gonna party and gonna enjoy it, that's it.'
England manager Sarina Wiegman later paid tribute to Bronze, saying: 'Her mentality, the whole team has an incredible mentality, but she has a crazy mentality, it's unbelievable.'
Bronze was not the only player who has played through pain at this tournament. Leah Williamson rolled her ankle against Sweden while Lauren James also had a foot injury coming into the final.
The Lionesses were ahead in the knock-out stage of this tournament for just four minutes and 58 seconds and had to come from behind in their last three games.
Bronze, who was part of the team that won the Euros in 2022, said they always had belief they could come out on top once again.
'We never lost faith in ourselves,' Bronze said. 'I think there was a lot of noise on the outside, but we've just stuck together. We dug deep but I mean, you've [seen] that in all the knock-out games go 120 minutes back to back to back. It's incredible to win on penalties two games. This team is so inspiring to be part of and just give each other energy. I think what we've got today is just unbelievable.
'To win on penalties is an amazing feeling, to lose on penalties is a horrible way to lose a final. Obviously, friends of mine, a lot of those girls are from Barça, and missing penalties, young players stepping up, it's difficult. I've been there a couple of years ago in the World Cup final, but you know, they're great players, they've achieved a lot. Just wasn't meant to be in the Euros this year, it was meant for England.'
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