Who is Leah Williamson? Career, honours and more to know about Arsenal and England Lionesses star

Leah Williamson is back as the captain of the English Lionesses for the Women's Euros 2025 - with more eyes than ever on her team's performance off as they attempt to defend their Women's Euros title from 2022.

As a clinically precise defender, Williamson is a key part of England's defensive arsenal, and was announced as captaining the side again after a brief bout away from international matches due to injury, meaning that she was not able to take part in England's Women's World Cup campaign in 2023. 

The Lionesses are set to face tough opponents in their Group D - having already lost 2 - 1 to France on Saturday, all eyes will be on the girls as they face 2017 winners the Netherlands and new entrants Wales in upcoming matches. 

The young star became a household name when she was part of the 2022 England squad that hoisted the Women's Euros trophy in 2022 - the first captain to hold a major trophy in over 50 years. Since then, her accolades have only multiplied, both internationally and with her domestic team Arsenal, who recently stormed to victory in the Women's Champions League. 

Off the pitch, Williamson has consistently used her platform gained from the 2022 Euros to work to grow the women's game and speak out about issues affecting women in sport - from grassroots level to her own personal struggles with endometriosis.

Ahead of the Lionesses' game against the Netherlands tomorrow, The Sporting News investigates the captain and her story thus far. 

Who is Leah Williamson?

Williamson, who hails from Milton Keynes, is a defender and defensive midfielder and a key component of both the Arsenal and English set-ups. She is celebrated for her tactical intelligence, assured and vocal leadership, and unique ability to initiate attacks from deeply defensive starting points.

Williamson has captained England since the 2022 Euros, and became the first English skipper since 1966 to hoist a major international trophy after the Lionesses triumphantly beat Germany in the final at Wembley. 

A world-class defender, she consistently provides a reassuring base for other players to place trust in as a voice of wisdom and encouragement on the pitch, as well as having an uncanny ability to remain calm and make the right call under the immense pressure of elite competitions.

It is rare that you see Williamson and her blonde ponytail looking flustered either in interviews or on the field, as she radiates a kind of self-assuredness and total belief in her team that can't help but bolster spirits.

Leah Williamson career, honours won with Arsenal and England

Williamson's career is remarkably consistent. She joined the ranks of Arsenal at just nine years old after an initial spell at Rushden & Diamonds and has continued there ever since.

She debuted for the senior team in 2014 at the age of 17, winning the FA Women's Cup in the same year. Silverware seems to be drawn to Williamson like few others.

Her extended journey at Arsenal allowed her to steadily climb the ranks. She helped the Gunners to win the Women's Super League in 2019 and became vice-captain in 2021 — a responsibility that took on extra weight when long-time captain Kim Little was injured in 2023.

Her captaincy skills further shone in the 2025 Women's Champions League final against Barcelona in Lisbon, where Arsenal claimed a famous 1-0 victory to become European champions for the second time.

Williamson's international career has followed a similar trajectory to her domestic one. Having represented England from the Under-15 pathway, she went to both the U-19 Euros in 2013 — as captain — and the U-20 World Cup in 2014. She debuted for the senior side in 2018.

Her stellar performances not only helped the Lionesses to lift the Euros trophy in 2022 but also continued throughout the aftermath of the tournament. She won the Arnold Clark Cup in both 2022 and 2023 to increase England's streak to a staggering three international trophies in two years and 30 unbeaten games.

Leah Williamson honours, trophies won 

Leah Williamson partner

Williamson has been romantically linked to Elle Smith, an American journalist and winner of Miss USA in 2021.

Although neither of them have spoken publicly on their relationship, they were spotted on a romantic holiday before the beginning of the Euros campaign, as well as Williamson sharing a sweet birthday message for Smith over Instagram. 

What condition does Leah Williamson have?

Williamson has spoken about her struggles with endometriosis, a condition where uterus cells grow outside the womb, causing extreme pain especially during menstrual cycles.

Williamson revealed that she nearly had to miss out on the victorious 2022 Euros campaign due to these struggles, and that she deals with a lot of anxiety surrounding her condition as it causes debilitating pain and affects her performances.

“You know when you’re on the bathroom floor and literally like: ‘I can’t move.’ When it’s too late to take the tablets because I’m, like, in it now."

What was Leah Williamson's injury?

Disaster struck for the defender in April 2023, when she was forced to withdraw from the 2023 Women's World Cup campaign with an ACL injury sustained during a game against Manchester United just weeks before the competition started.

During her time away from football in recovery, Williamson taught herself to play piano and performed at the BBC Concert Orchestra. She is now back to her first love and expertise with the Euros in 2025. 

This campaign marks Williamson's first international competition in two years, so she will be determined to prove that the Lionesses are still a force to be reckoned with, although she has admitted to feeling anxious about returning to a major tournament after such a serious injury.

Leah Williamson outside football: OBE and women's sport campaigns

Williamson's contributions to women's football were recognised when she became the worthy recipient of an OBE for services to football in 2023, as well as co-writing with Suzanne Wrack the book 'You Have the Power' — a positive life guide aimed at encouraging young girls to follow their dreams and believe in themselves.

Inspiring the next generation of female athletes is something that Williamson champions and evidently feels the burden of as England's captain.

She spoke at the UN General Assembly in New York in 2023 about breaking down gender stereotypes, speaking publicly about the changes that need happen within the sport as "it's still not a level playing field for so many girls around the world".

Her participation in the Pepsi campaign 'Where there's a ball, there's a way' also focused on shining a light on female sporting role models for the next generation, further demonstrating her commitment to leaving a lasting legacy on and off the pitch.

This awareness of her position of authority is one of the reasons that Williamson is such an effective and respected captain. Aside from her support on the pitch, through her platform, she consistently amplifies and champions voices within the industry that have been previously marginalised.

She has spoken out about the diversity issues within women's sport, with only 10 per cent of WSL players being black, as well as supporting the 'One Love' armband in support of LGBTQ+ at the 2023 Women's World Cup.

She has also demonstrated her ability not only to lead the team, but actively push for and support what is right for her teammates. When legendary goalkeeper Mary Earps unexpectedly retired pre-Euros, amid her personal sadness Williamson highlighted the bravery of the decision.

Similarly, Williamson was unwavering in her public support of Millie Bright's decision to remove herself from the selection process due to mental and physical health issues, applauding her for "leading by example".