Leah Williamson, the captain of the England Lionesses, has revealed her "anxiety" surrounding injuries as she prepares to lead her team in the upcoming defense of their European Championship title. The 28-year-old, who plays for Arsenal in the Women's Super League, is a key figure for England, having captained them to their historic Euro 2022 victory.
Williamson's journey to the Euro 2025 has been marked by challenges, including a significant ACL injury that sidelined her from the 2023 World Cup. This setback has understandably contributed to her current anxieties. "It scares the s**t out of me if I'm honest that every day for the rest of my life I will chase that feeling. I don't see how it could have been topped," says Williamson, reflecting on the high of winning the Euros.
Having fully recovered and back in form, Williamson recently captained Arsenal to Champions League victory, defeating Barcelona 1-0 in the final. Despite these successes, the memory of her injury and the potential for re-injury lingers. She has fought her way back into the team since recovering from the ACL injury.
In addition to her ACL injury, Williamson has also been open about her struggles with endometriosis, a condition that causes painful periods and can lead to debilitating flare-ups. She has spoken about the anxiety of potentially missing matches due to the condition, particularly during major tournaments. "Having an endometriosis flare up is a big fear when you get to a tournament not injured," she revealed in an interview.
Despite these challenges, Williamson is determined to lead England to another successful tournament. She recognizes that the Lionesses are a "new England" with fresh faces and a different dynamic compared to the team that won in 2022. "We look different, women's football looks different, the task is different," she said. Williamson was appointed England captain in April 2022 and made the most ball recoveries in the competition and was named to the Team of the Tournament.
Williamson's leadership extends beyond the field, as she has been a prominent voice in pushing women's sport to greater prominence. She acknowledges the growth of women's football and the increasing attention being given to other women's sports.
With the Euros just around the corner, Williamson is focused on preparing herself and her team for the challenges ahead. England will face Wales, France, and Germany in the group stages, making for a competitive start to their title defense. Williamson's experience, resilience, and leadership will be crucial as England aims to create more "great memories" this summer. Williamson achieved her 50th cap for England on October 29, 2024.
