England hero Hannah Hampton reveals hidden family heartbreak on the eve of Euro 2025 as she pens emotional message
Hampton, 24, took to Instagram to share a touching tribute to her grandfather, who she revealed passed away two days before the start of the tournament, which began on July 2.
She wrote: 'Two days before the biggest tournament of my life, you left.
'It still doesn't feel real. I kept thinking when I'd call nannie I'd hear your voice again - one of your jokes, or one of those little comments you'd make that somehow said everything without saying much at all.
'You were one of my biggest supporters. You believed in me before I even knew what this journey would look like. You were always there - watching, encouraging, teaching. You taught me so much, not just about football, but about life. About staying grounded, working hard, being resilient and doing things the right way.
'I miss our chats. I miss you saying 'Only us athletes understand' — always with a little smirk like you were in on something special. And you were. You got it. You understood what this meant to me. You understood what it took.'
Hampton denied both Mariona Caldentey and Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati from the spot, before Salma Paralluelo fired wide – capping a second shootout masterclass from the 24-year-old at this tournament.
She also saved two penalties in England's chaotic quarter-final win over Sweden, establishing herself as one of the breakout stars of the summer.
It marks a remarkable rise for Hampton, who was an understudy to Mary Earps during England's Euros triumph on home soil in 2022 and again at the 2023 Women's World Cup.
Earps herself won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award in 2023 after saving a penalty in the World Cup final — also against Spain — albeit in a losing cause.
Earps finished ahead of Stuart Broad and Katarina Johnson-Thompson in the public vote that year.
According to Betfair, Hampton is now joint second-favourite at 5/1 to win SPOTY, behind only Rory McIlroy, who leads the market at Evens after a stellar season that included winning The Masters in April — his first Green Jacket and fifth major overall
Hampton continued her tribute by adding: 'It breaks my heart that you didn't get to see me walk out for our country at my first major tournament... something you dreamed of for me, something we talked about so many times. I wanted to see your face or hear your voice after the game calling back home. I wanted to share that with you.
'But I know, deep down, you were still there. I felt you with me. In the tunnel. On the pitch. In the tough moments. I heard you in my head when I needed strength.
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