In a crushing blow for England's Lionesses, captain Leah Williamson has been ruled out of Euro 2025 after sustaining a serious knee injury. The Arsenal defender, who led the team to glory in Euro 2022, suffered an ACL rupture during training – the same injury that kept her sidelined for nine months last year.
Heartbreak for England's Leader
The 27-year-old centre-back only recently returned to full fitness after her previous ACL tear in April 2023. Her absence leaves a significant void in Sarina Wiegman's squad as they prepare to defend their European title.
'This is absolutely devastating news for Leah and the entire team,' a Football Association spokesperson said. 'Her leadership on and off the pitch has been instrumental to our success.'
Wiegman Faces Defensive Dilemma
Williamson's injury presents manager Sarina Wiegman with a major selection headache. The Dutch coach must now rebuild her defensive line without its talismanic captain just months before the tournament.
Possible replacements include:
- Manchester City's Alex Greenwood
- Chelsea's Millie Bright
- Arsenal teammate Lotte Wubben-Moy
The Lionesses begin their qualifying campaign in April 2025, with Williamson expected to miss the entire build-up to the tournament.
Second Major ACL Blow
This marks Williamson's second career-threatening ACL injury in less than two years. Medical experts suggest the repeated trauma could potentially shorten the defender's career at the highest level.
Sports physician Dr Emma Ross commented: 'Back-to-back ACL injuries are extremely concerning. The rehabilitation process becomes more complex each time.'
The news comes as women's football faces growing scrutiny over ACL injury rates, with several high-profile players suffering similar setbacks in recent months.
