The question of balancing motherhood and a football career is one that’s becoming increasingly real for some of the brightest stars in women’s football.
Alessia Russo and Ella Toone, both key players for England and part of Sarina Wiegman’s legendary 2022 squad, opened up about this tricky dilemma on their BBC podcast, The Tooney & Russo Show.
As the Euros kick off in Switzerland next month, these two athletes are facing the same tough question many women in sport grapple with: when is the right time to have children — and how will it impact their football careers?
Ella Toone’s Honest Take on Football and Family Life
Ella Toone, the Manchester United forward aged 25, revealed how she’s caught between chasing her dreams on the pitch and thinking about settling down to start a family.
Dating fellow footballer Joe Bunney, Ella shared with co-host DJ Vick Hope, who herself is expecting her first child, how she wonders whether she should “achieve what I can and then step away from the game to have my own family.”
She joked that she already has a long list of baby names saved on her phone, and many of her friends are starting families already — but for now, she’s focused on her football career.
“I’m only 25, so for now, I’m doing what I’m doing,” she said, capturing that mix of excitement and uncertainty many young female athletes feel.
Alessia Russo Opens Up About Fertility Fears in Football
Alessia Russo, the Arsenal striker who topped the Women’s Super League goal charts this season at 26 years old, also shared her honest feelings about fertility and the pressure it brings.
“You don’t know how you’re going to come back after pregnancy, or how long it might take to get pregnant — or even if you can have kids,” Russo said.
“You just have to live in the here and now.”
She admitted that with football moving so fast, and with such a strong drive to win, thoughts about having a family often take a backseat.
Still, Alessia finds comfort in the idea that life after football can open up a whole new chapter — a second life where she can embrace family without giving up on her dreams.
Club Support and Inspiration From Fellow Players
Russo also praised the incredible support clubs are giving players who become mums.
She pointed to Arsenal teammate Amanda Ilestedt, who welcomed her daughter Mila last year and now often travels with the team to matches.
Alessia said seeing Amanda’s journey — from pregnancy to returning to top-level football — has been inspiring.
“Her body’s been through it all, and it’s nice to watch how she’s come back,” Russo shared. “The club helped her so much, and she’s been amazing.”
The Mental and Physical Toll of International Football Comes Into Focus
The challenge of juggling club and international commitments has been a hot topic recently, especially with some of England’s stars stepping away from the national team.
Chelsea captain Millie Bright became the latest to withdraw from England’s squad ahead of Euro 2025, joining goalkeeper Mary Earps and Brighton’s Fran Kirby, who both retired from international football.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Bright explained she wasn’t able to give her all mentally or physically and felt it was the right time to step back for her health and the team’s benefit.
“Football has given me so much, and representing my country has always been my greatest honour,” she wrote, “but right now I can’t give 100%.”
Off-Field Challenges Add to the Pressure
Insiders suggest that Bright’s recent split from her fiancé, fitness trainer Levi Crew, may have influenced her decision.
The couple, who lived together in Surrey and shared close family ties, ended their engagement earlier this year.
Bright had called Levi her “king” and has a tattoo of his eye on her arm, which was visible in official team photos. However, fans noticed she has since removed mentions of him from her social media and deleted the post announcing their engagement.
Despite the personal difficulties, Bright showed strength by sharing a post-surgery recovery photo recently, reminding fans of her resilience off the pitch.
The Complex Reality for Women Footballers Today
Between managing the physical demands of the game, navigating personal life decisions, and dealing with the pressure of international tournaments, the stories of Russo, Toone, and Bright highlight the complex realities female footballers face today.
Their openness helps shed light on a conversation that’s becoming more important as women’s football grows and evolves on the world stage.