Mum pinches my medals, says Euros-winning Lioness

Double Euros-winning Lioness Alex Greenwood said there is always a playful “fight” with her mother as to who gets to keep her medals whenever she wins a tournament.

The Merseyside-born Manchester City captain said: “She’s straight away saying ‘that’s mine, make sure they get brought home’.”

“It happens more often than not,” she joked.

Greenwood also said she was delighted with how the women’s game continues to grow, and felt it was important that “young girls can turn on the TV and have idols in our game”.

Greenwood, who played every game as England defended their Euros title, also said joining the open top bus parade through the streets of London was a “pinch yourself moment”.

“It was one of the best things I’ve ever experienced in my life,” she said.

“It was incredible.

“I think a couple of us were… elbowing each other saying ‘wow, take this in, because this is really, really special and you just never know if that’s ever going to happen again’.”

The Lionesses’ back-to-back victories at European Championships has had a remarkable impact on grassroots womens football.

Even before Euro 2025, the number of women’s and girls’ teams across the country had doubled in seven years.

Greenwood said she thought that was down to the fact “young girls can turn on the TV and have idols in our game”.

She said the Lionesses talk about the feeling they get when they arrive at games and they see “the names of players’ shirts on the back of little girls’ tops”.

Born in Bootle in Sefton, Greenwood played for Everton, Liverpool, and Manchester United, before becoming Manchester City captain.

England did things the hard way at Euro 2025, requiring nervy comebacks in all three of their knockout games.

However, Greenwood said inside the camp they were not as nervous as the England fans.

“For us, it’s probably slightly easier to stay relaxed because we’re in it and we’re in control of it and we’ve prepared for these moments time and time again,” she said.

Her trophy cabinet is now full to the brim – including two European Championships, a Champions League, a league title in France and an FA Cup.

But she said she still wants more.

“Ultimately I really, really love winning,” she said.

“I love lifting trophies, I love being successful and I love making my family proud.”