Sometimes, sport isn’t just about trophies or goals — it’s about the quiet, heartfelt moments after the final whistle.
That’s exactly what we saw when Lucy Bronze, fresh from winning the Women’s Euros again with England, took a step away from the celebration chaos to find her close friend and former teammate, Ona Batlle.
While her Lioness teammates were busy soaking up the glory of their shootout win against Spain in Basel, Bronze made a beeline for Batlle — who, despite being on the losing side, greeted her with a high-five and a warm, knowing smile.
Bronze and Batlle Share a Quiet Moment
The pair, who have become almost inseparable over the past couple of years, sat together on the grass, seemingly taking in every emotional second of the dramatic final.
It was a full-circle moment, especially considering what happened after the 2023 World Cup final — when Spain triumphed and it was Batlle who comforted a tearful Bronze.
This time, the roles reversed. Bronze, medal around her neck, shared a quiet walk with Batlle, who had changed into her tracksuit after the game.
For them, the match was more than just competition — it was personal, grounded in deep mutual respect.
England Clinches Another Historic Title
The Euro 2025 final was anything but easy. England had to claw their way back from behind and eventually saw off Spain in a nerve-wracking 3-1 penalty shootout.
Chloe Kelly stepped up once again, slotting home the winning penalty and cementing her place as a national hero.
Spanish stars Mariona Caldentey and Aitana Bonmati saw their spot-kicks saved by England’s keeper Hannah Hampton, and Salma Paralluelo’s miss sealed Spain’s fate.
The win meant that the Lionesses retained their European crown in spectacular fashion.
A Veteran’s Final Push
At 33 years old, Lucy Bronze was England’s oldest player at the tournament, and she gave everything she had — despite being forced off in extra time.
What fans didn’t know until after the match was that Bronze had actually played the entire tournament with a fractured tibia.
“I’ve actually played the whole tournament with a fractured tibia but no one knew,” Bronze admitted post-match.
“And then today, I hurt my knee on the other leg. That’s why I got a lot of praise from the girls after the Sweden game — I’ve been in a lot of pain.”
But that’s Bronze. Quiet strength, unwavering resilience, and a total refusal to let anything stop her from playing for her country.
“We inspire each other by playing through things like that,” she added.
“It was painful… but I’m going to party and enjoy it, that’s it.”
Coach Wiegman Praises Bronze’s Grit
England head coach Sarina Wiegman was full of admiration, saying: “Her mentality — the whole team has an incredible mentality — but she has a crazy mentality. It’s unbelievable.”
That grit and determination became the glue that held the Lionesses together throughout the competition.
Bronze’s leadership, even while playing through injury, clearly left a mark on her teammates.
From Barcelona Glory to Different Paths
Bronze and Batlle have shared more than just international showdowns — they were also teammates during a dream season at Barcelona.
In 2023–24, they won it all: the Champions League, Liga F, the Spanish Cup, and the Super Cup.
Their on-pitch chemistry translated off the field as well.
After that incredible season, Bronze returned to England and joined Chelsea, while Batlle stayed in Spain — but their bond remained unshakable.
Holidays, Ice Cream, and Disneyland Memories
This summer, before Euro 2025 kicked off in Switzerland, Bronze and Batlle took a holiday together.
The pair shared photos of the getaway on social media — everything from eating ice cream in the sunshine, to lounging on a lilo at sea, to boat trips and private pool days.
It looked like the vacation doubled as a birthday celebration for Batlle, with one Instagram caption reading, “Bday week.”
And it wasn’t their first adventure together — last Christmas, Batlle had posted snaps from their Disneyland Paris trip, captioning it: “What a magical place.”
The Quiet Hero from Berwick-upon-Tweed
Bronze tends to keep her private life under wraps, but what we do know paints a picture of quiet resilience.
She was raised in Berwick-upon-Tweed in Northumberland, and thanks to her Portuguese father, grew up bilingual.
It was her older brother Jorge who first introduced her to football — a passion that’s taken her across the world.
Now, with another Euro medal hanging around her neck, a broken tibia in her rearview, and a heartwarming moment of friendship frozen in time, Lucy Bronze once again reminds us that champions aren’t just made in stadiums — they’re made in moments like this.
