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909 AM ETTom HamiltonSenior Writer CloseJoined ESPN in 2011Covered two Olympics, a pair of Rugby World Cups and two British amp Irish Lions toursPreviously rugby editor, and became senior writer in 2018Follow on TwitterFacebookTwitterFacebook MessengerPinterestEmail
England captain Leah Williamson has said her “World Cup and Champions League dream is over” after scans confirmed she suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
The news will come as a significant setback for England’s World Cup hopes given Williamson was set to lead the Lionesses into this summer’s tournament.
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Williamson captained England to their historic Euro 2022 triumph and has established herself as an instrumental part of Sarina Wiegman’s team in the heart of defence, but the knee injury she sustained while playing for Arsenal at Manchester United on Wednesday has ruled her out for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
“Until I have the words to express my feelings properly I will struggle to verbalise them.
The noise around the situation is loud and I need some quiet to let it all sink in,” she wrote in an Instagram post on Friday.
“Unfortunately the World Cup and Champions League dream is over for me and everyone will think that’s the main focus, but it’s the day to day of what I’m going through that’s the most draining of my thoughts.
“I had tears in my eyes and made peace with it the night it happened and since then I have been following the steps I’m told to in order to best help myself in the short and long term.
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A post shared by Leah Williamson (leahwilliamsonn)
“Ultimately, I think it’s just my time.
All I ask is for a little bit of time and space to deal with all that is to come.”
Williamson picked up the injury in the 15th minute of the match as she tussled with Katie Zelem for the ball.
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