August 2025 has been a whirlwind month for English women’s football, with the Lionesses basking in the afterglow of a dramatic UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 triumph and a record number of players shortlisted for the prestigious Women’s Ballon d’Or. The echoes of their penalty shootout victory over Spain in Basel are still reverberating, not just for the silverware, but for the unforgettable moments and personalities that shaped the journey.
Five English stars—Lucy Bronze, Hannah Hampton, Chloe Kelly, Alessia Russo, and Leah Williamson—are among the 30 nominees for the 2025 Women’s Ballon d’Or, a testament to their pivotal roles both for club and country. Their nomination comes on the heels of England’s second European title in three years, a feat that has cemented this squad’s legacy in the annals of English football.
Lucy Bronze and Hannah Hampton, both integral to Chelsea’s unbeaten, treble-winning campaign, have been lauded for their consistency and leadership. Bronze, who admitted to playing the entire Euro 2025 tournament with a broken tibia, was the spark England needed in their darkest hour. Down 2-0 in the quarter-final against Sweden, it was Bronze who ignited the comeback, scoring the first goal before Michelle Agyemang’s equalizer sent the tie into a dramatic shootout. Bronze’s resilience and ability to inspire her teammates have not gone unnoticed. As her England colleagues have repeatedly praised, her leadership was “continuously praised by her England teammates.”
Meanwhile, Hannah Hampton’s journey to the spotlight has been nothing short of remarkable. Elevated to England’s No. 1 goalkeeper following Mary Earps’ international retirement in May 2025, Hampton’s calm under pressure and penalty-saving prowess have become the stuff of legend. In the Euro 2025 final, Hampton pulled off crucial saves from Mariona Caldentey and Aitana Bonmatí in the shootout, tipping the scales in England’s favor as the Lionesses triumphed 3-1 after a tense 1-1 draw through extra time.
But Hampton’s influence extended beyond her shot-stopping. In a revelation that quickly made headlines, she admitted to a cheeky bit of gamesmanship during the final. According to an interview with talkSPORT, Hampton recounted, “The Spanish keeper had it on her bottle, so I thought when she was going in goal I’ll just pick it up and throw it into the English fans so she can’t have it.” The bottle in question contained penalty notes for Spain’s Cata Coll—notes that were suddenly out of reach when it mattered most. Hampton, ever the strategist, had her own notes written on her arm instead, explaining, “I never put it on a bottle because anyone can do that, so I put it on my arm.”
Coll, for her part, took the incident in stride, later tweeting, “Okay, okay, calm down. If only it were true…”—a touch of levity after a high-stakes affair. Still, the psychological edge may have played its part, as Coll managed to save efforts from Beth Mead and even captain Leah Williamson, but couldn’t prevent Chloe Kelly from converting the decisive spot-kick.
Chloe Kelly’s story is another of resilience and redemption. Starting the season out of favor at Manchester City, Kelly’s move to Arsenal reinvigorated her career. She ended the campaign with 12 Women’s Super League goals and eight in the Champions League, helping Arsenal to continental glory by overcoming a formidable Barcelona side in the final. Her role for England was just as vital, coming off the bench to deliver when it mattered most and sealing the Euros with the winning penalty.
Alessia Russo, too, has been at the heart of England’s success. Her equalizing goal in the final against Spain kept the Lionesses’ hopes alive, demonstrating once again her knack for scoring on the biggest stages. Russo’s performances for Arsenal, particularly in the Champions League, have been a driving force behind both club and country’s success this season.
Leah Williamson, England’s captain, has now lifted the European trophy for the second time in three years, her defensive solidity and leadership at the back providing the foundation for England’s triumph. Her club season was equally fruitful, as she played a key role in Arsenal’s Champions League win, adding yet another line to her growing list of accolades.
Behind the scenes, head coach Sarina Wiegman’s meticulous approach to penalty preparation paid dividends. After describing the quarter-final shootout against Sweden as “traumatic” and “horrendous,” Hampton revealed that Wiegman ramped up penalty practice, insisting, “You’re taking penalties every day whether you like it or not.” That relentless focus bore fruit in the final, as England’s composure from the spot was evident.
Hampton elaborated on the goalkeeper group’s preparations: “Before the games we as a keeper group have meetings and we analyse every penalty that each individual from the opposing team has had—I think Alexia [Putellas] had 46 penalties we had to sit there and watch. You will watch it and pick out little things they do, whether they go one side or the other or have little subtleties in their run up or even their arm position. Then pressure penalties, where they tend to put them, you see all of that and then you see their run up and adapt in the moment to it.”
Michelle Agyemang’s nomination for the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best young player, adds another layer of excitement for English fans. Agyemang’s equalizer in the comeback against Sweden further underlines the depth of talent in this Lionesses squad.
The Ballon d’Or Féminin shortlist is a who’s who of world football, with England’s five nominees joining two-time winners Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas, as well as stars from France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Brazil, and the United States. Arsenal and Chelsea’s dominance on the club stage has been reflected in the nominations, with several players from both sides recognized for their outstanding seasons.
As the dust settles on a memorable summer, the Lionesses find themselves at the center of the footballing world’s attention. Their blend of tactical savvy, mental toughness, and individual brilliance has not only brought home another European crown but has also set the stage for further individual accolades on the global stage.
With the Ballon d’Or ceremony looming and the new club season on the horizon, England’s stars are poised to continue their remarkable run. For now, though, the Lionesses and their fans can savor a summer where history was made—again—and where the future looks brighter than ever.
