England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton revealed her personal heartache at the 2025 European Cup, sharing her grandfather passed away two days before the game began.
The 24-year-old Chelsea star played a key role in the Lions’ success, England beat Spain 3-1 in overtime in the final, producing two key saves in the penalty shootout.
Her heroic performance was a player who won the game award and ended an outstanding sport.
On Monday, Hampton posted a photo of her green England shirt on Instagram, which read “Grandpa” in the collar and shared an emotional tribute.
“Dear Grandpa. You left two days before the biggest game in my life.
“It still doesn’t feel real. When I called Nannie, I kept thinking that I’d hear you again, one of your jokes, or one of the little comments you would say everything in some way, and nothing at all.
“You are one of my biggest supporters. You trust me before I even knew what happened to this journey.
“I miss our chat. I miss you saying, ‘Only our athletes can understand’, always giggling like you’re doing something special. You get it. You get it. You understand what that means to me.
“It broke my heart and you didn’t see me going out for our country in my first big game. It’s something you dreamt about and we talked about it a lot. I want to see your face or hear your voice after the game and come home. I want to share it with you.
“But I know, deep down, you’re still there. I feel you in the tunnel. In the tunnel. In the tough times. When I need strength, I hear you in my mind. I hope I make you proud, Grandpa.”
