Lucy Bronze has always known she was different.
As a child, the England international—who has won nearly every major honor in women’s football—tried to mimic her teammates’ behavior to blend in. Now, at 33, with 22 major trophies to her name across spells at Liverpool, Manchester City, Lyon, Barcelona, and Chelsea, she stands as a role model for aspiring players worldwide.
But accolades alone do not define a person.
Bronze’s mother had long suspected she might be autistic, and four years ago, the football star was officially diagnosed with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Speaking exclusively to BBC Sport ahead of Neurodiversity Celebration Week, she opened up about how these diagnoses have shaped her life—both on and off the pitch.
Although Bronze was only diagnosed with autism in 2021, the news did not come as a shock.
"It was something I always kind of knew," she said. "My mum had noticed certain traits in me from a young age."
Her struggles at school—particularly with reading and spelling—led to a diagnosis of dyslexia. Since childhood, she has also battled sleep issues, with experts suggesting she keep a journal before bed to help calm her mind.
"I’d end up writing a book then," she joked. "My brain runs at 100 miles per hour, even when I’m lying in bed."
On the field, her subtle self-soothing habits—such as frequently touching her hair—haven't gone unnoticed by teammates and fans. "People assume I’m just fidgeting, but that’s actually how I calm myself down without even realizing it," she explained.
It was during a Lionesses training camp that she officially learned of her ADHD and autism.
"It didn’t change who I was, but it helped me understand myself better," she said. "I started to realize why I saw things differently from others or reacted in ways that weren’t typical. Talking through my traits and recognizing situations that made me feel good or bad—that was the real breakthrough for me."
For much of her life, Bronze unknowingly masked her autism by mimicking others’ social behaviors—a coping mechanism known as "masking," which is common among autistic individuals trying to fit into neurotypical environments.
"When I first joined the England squad, I couldn't speak to anyone," she admitted.
She recalls England legend Casey Stoney once pointing out: ‘You’ve never looked me in the eye when we talk.’
"It wasn’t about her—it was just me," Bronze explained. "I used to watch how Jill Scott interacted with people and tried to copy her. I’ve improved, but I still feel uncomfortable at times. Hugging people, making eye contact—these are things I had to learn because they’re considered the norm, but I always found them difficult."
Fortunately, she has always had supportive friends and family who understand her needs.
"People now know I don’t like hugs, so they don’t judge me for it," she said. "Before, I felt I had to do these things to make others comfortable, even though it made me uncomfortable. It’s important for everyone to recognize that people experience the world differently."
Despite its challenges, Bronze believes her autism has played a key role in her success.
"The way I process things, my hyper-focus—people say I’m passionate about football, but really, I’m obsessed," she said. "That’s my autism."
Having made her senior debut at just 16, it’s remarkable that she continues to perform at the highest level at 33. She attributes part of her longevity to the structure and discipline that football provides.
"Exercise is great for ADHD and autism," she explained. "Training every day is perfect for me. Some of the girls joke, ‘Are you sure you’re 33? You never stop!’ But all the traits I have due to autism have actually worked to my advantage."
Now an ambassador for the National Autistic Society, Bronze is committed to raising awareness and challenging misconceptions about autism.
"A diagnosis doesn’t change who you are, but understanding yourself is incredibly powerful," she said. "There were times when life might have been easier if the stigma around autism didn’t exist—if I had felt I could be open about it sooner."
Football has given her a daily focus, but with retirement on the horizon, what comes next?
"People ask if I worry about life after football, but I know I’ll find something else," she said. "Even now, I’m fascinated by everything in the game—the boardroom, coaching, physio work. I’m obsessed with it all."
For Bronze, autism is not a limitation—it’s part of what makes her one of football’s greatest players.
