How many individuals can say they’ve captained England to a serious trophy earlier than the age of 26?

Two. The late Bobby Moore and Leah Williamson. Moore was 25 years outdated when he lifted the World Cup in 1966. Williamson was the identical age when she guided the Lionesses to their first piece of silverware final summer time.

Williamson turns 26 right this moment and has already acquired the world at her ft. The Arsenal defender has each probability of creating it back-to-back trophies Down Under this summer time.

England will likely be one of many favourites to win the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and a giant a part of that’s right down to the management of their captain.

Williamson’s success with the Lionesses has shortly seen her develop into her probably the most recognisable faces of soccer, however her reputation transcends sport.

She was on the entrance cowl of GQ journal for December and January and even made an look on the Graham Norton present on New Year’s Eve.

As England’s crew DJ, it was maybe becoming that she was one of some England gamers invited to this yr’s BRIT awards whereas she additionally helped current a prize on the National Television awards alongside Millie Bright and Jill Scott.

It isn’t any shock that manufacturers like Nike, Gucci, Vogue, Pepsi, Doritos and Cadbury’s have all been lining as much as work with the England captain.

Another entrance web page journal shoot, this time for Women’s Health, had a far reaching influence on the finish of final yr.

In the piece, Williamson spoke overtly about affected by endometriosis.

The defender was identified in 2021 after affected by intense interval pains, and a concussion harm simply earlier than the Euros practically put her participation unsure.

‘Before the Euros I had a concussion, which they say can really impact your next period, and it was bad – like, really bad,’ Williamson informed Women’s Health.

‘You know when you’re on the toilet flooring and actually like: ‘I can’t transfer.’ When it’s too late to take the tablets as a result of I’m, like, in it now.

‘I was like, “it cannot happen.” Like, I actually won’t be capable to play. [An endometriosis flare-up] is a giant worry while you get to a event not injured.’

As effectively as elevating very important consciousness for the situation, Williamson is concerned in various charities. She is an envoy for the Willow Foundation, who present Special Days and treats for significantly ailing younger adults.

Wiliamson’s work off the pitch in making a path for younger women to observe is arguably as essential as her achievements on it. She and Lotte Wubben-Moy have been instrumental in forcing the federal government to pledge they would offer women with equal entry to soccer and faculty sport.

On the soccer pitch, Williamson is understood for her calmness and composure on the ball and her self-discipline off it, having by no means been despatched off for membership or nation.

Williamson’s journey to England captain began when she joined Arsenal’s academy in 2006, aged 9. Despite rising up in a family of Tottenham followers, Williamson selected to help the Gunners and has not regarded again.

She made her senior debut on the age of 17 and a primary England cap adopted 4 years later.

By the age of 21, Williamson had over 100 appearances for Arsenal and 4 trophies (she now has six). In December final yr, the defender made her two hundredth look for the membership and there’s each probability she’s going to go on to make 300 and past.

While Kim Little at present wears the captain’s armband for Arsenal, it’s greater than probably Williamson will tackle the mantle sooner or later.

There was some shock when Sarina Wiegman named Williamson as captain over extra skilled names within the Lionesses camp. But the England supervisor knew Williamson could be on the coronary heart of the crew years to return and had the appropriate qualities and temperament to take care of the strain.

Williamson had already showcased her management traits in an England shirt. Aged 18, she was thrust into the limelight whereas taking part in in a deciding qualifying match for the U19 European Championship in 2015.

Williamson had taken and scored a stoppage-time penalty in opposition to Norway. But in a weird flip of occasions, she needed to retake it 5 days later.

German referee Marija Kurtes had disallowed the aim for encroachment and awarded a free-kick to Norway, as an alternative of ordering a retake.

The resolution meant England misplaced 2-1 and missed out on a spot within the event finals. But in an unprecedented transfer, UEFA agreed the principles had not been adopted and determined the match needs to be replayed from the 96th minute — beginning with Williamson’s penalty. The days that adopted have been anxious and Williamson was seen pacing the halls of England’s lodge till the day lastly got here.

The story had attracted nationwide consideration. There was a big crowd and Sky Sports News went there dwell to broadcast the penalty. She scored, emphatically. Even at that younger age, Williamson had nerves of metal.

Her success ultimately summer time’s Euros has made Williamson probably the most recognised faces in soccer. She was awarded an OBE within the New Year’s Honours List and on Tuesday she was named prime of the BBC’s Woman’s Hour Power List.

Williamson is undoubtedly a job mannequin and inspiration to many and the approaching launch of her ebook ‘You have the Power’ will probably be one other success she will be able to add to her assortment of achievements.

The birthday celebrations, nonetheless, will likely be on maintain till after this night’s Champions League quarter-final between Arsenal and Bayern Munich.

The Gunners, who’ve offered over 20,000 tickets for the sport, are trailing 1-0 from the primary leg final week however ought to in all probability have taken one thing from the sport after creating a number of alternatives to attain.

‘It’s my birthday so I hope we’ve a superb day anyway!’ Williamson stated after final week’s first leg.

‘From now until the end of the season every game is a final.’