Jess Carter from England taking the stage in the Euro 2025 final against Spain. She showed remarkable pressure-proof ability and talent, as she herself confessed to being “really, really scared” to even play. Under head coach Sarina Wiegman’s leadership, Carter turned in a career-defining performance. Finally, she thanked her fans, teammates and family for their support day-in and day-out through the entire tournament with deep appreciation.
Carter, 27, featured in all four of England’s games at the tournament in Switzerland. He had a profound influence on how well the team played. Against Italy, she surprisingly missed the starting XI as a result of a tactical plan formed by Wiegman. With the stakes raised for the final showdown against Spain, Wiegman went all-in. She reintroduced Carter into the starting lineup, well aware that the player could bolster the team’s back line.
After the game, in an emotional post-match interview, Carter discussed the concerns she had leading up to the game. “I was super scared to play today for the first time in my life,” she admitted. When I woke up and I saw my squad, and the support I had and the belief I had from my squad, my family, and my manager, I knew coming out that I could just give it my all.
Carter’s performance was instrumental in England’s success, as she formed a strong defensive partnership with Leah Williamson. Wiegman commended Carter’s ability to rise to the occasion, saying that she displayed “a very strong personality” and was ready to deliver. “Against Italy, it was a different game than Spain, and we felt that we needed Jess now in the starting line-up, with the fight and the duels she can play,” Wiegman explained.
During the tournament, Carter dealt with difficulties off the pitch as well. She revealed that she had stepped back from social media due to being subjected to racist slurs since the competition began. After the tragedy of her experience weighed heavily on her mind, this made her return to the pitch all the more significant. I’m really not used to wallowing in the hate they got because listen everybody’s gonna have their opinion. This tournament has been very difficult. I did not know if I could get back on the pitch and still be competitive like I used to be, she said.
Carter traced her exceptional showing in the final back to the overwhelming support she experienced during the tournament. “The support I felt from the fans was incredible. I can’t thank them enough because without the fans, my teammates, and my family, I don’t know if I’d have ever had the courage to be back on the pitch and play again,” she said.
“Everyone of those fans, I’m not ever going to be able to show my thanks enough, but they have been incredible, and I hope they will continue to cheer on the Lionesses every single day,” Carter added.
Wiegman reiterated these sentiments, emphasizing Carter’s value to the squad. “I have all the belief in her and she had to believe herself. That’s the most important thing: that she contributed to the team and you could tell that the team trusted her too,” Wiegman noted.
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