Former Everton and Liverpool women's player Lucy Bronze has spoken about her diagnosis with autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The Lioness and Chelsea Women’s star says having autism is her 'superpower'.
She told BBC presenter and pundit Alex Scott it’s been an advantage in her football career, and though she was only diagnosed four years ago, it didn’t come as a shock.
Bronze said: "Everyone always says, ‘oh you’re so passionate about football’. I don't know if I’d say I was passionate. I'm just obsessed, that’s my autism. It’s my hyper-focus.”
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Bronze has played for many clubs in her decorated career, but in the early stages of it, she had stints at both Everton and Liverpool.
Her time with Everton began in 2012, two years after the Women's Super League (WSL) was established. At the same time, she was working at Domino’s and studying sports science at Leeds Beckett University. In two years with the Blues, she made 20 appearances.
Bronze then made the switch to local rivals Liverpool, alongside team-mates Natasha Dowie and Fara Williams.
In 2013 and 2014, she was part of the Liverpool side that lifted the WSL in back-to-back seasons.
Since then, the 33-year-old has gone on to win a further 20 major club trophies, representing Manchester City, Lyon and Barcelona. Of course, she’s also a European champion with England.
But Bronze always knew she was different. She said: “I can remember when I was younger, I was treated a bit differently because of how I was acting.
“My brain is like a hundred miles an hour all the time and I really struggle with sleep. I always have.
“I’ve just got to exert some energy, I’ve always got too much energy all the time.”
Bronze’s revelation came on Neurodiversity Celebration Week, a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences.
