England captain Leah Williamson bluntly assessed the severe knee injury that has forced her to miss the Women’s World Cup.
The 26-year-old, who guided England to victory in Euro 2022, has joined the list of Arsenal players who have experienced a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
Williamson, along with her compatriot Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema from the Netherlands, who are also her teammates at Arsenal, will miss the World Cup competitions that will begin in July in Australia and New Zealand.
Williamson was aiming high for the upcoming World Cup
This type of injury is more common among women’s soccer than in men’s, and Williamson is finding it difficult to convey her sadness about the devastating setback she has experienced. It is possible that she may not be able to play again this year.
Shortly after Arsenal confirmed the seriousness of the injury, she released a statement.
Williamson sustained the injury during Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester United in the Women’s Super League on Wednesday, when her studs became caught in the turf at Leigh Sports Village.e.
Her statement reads: “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.
“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 about to go through that is the most draining of my thoughts.”
Williamson added: “I had my tears and made my 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.
“Ultimately, I think it’s just my time. In the past couple of years alone I have watched team-mates beat serious illnesses and adversity with the biggest of smiles on their faces.
“I also hold perspective that globally there are much greater difficulties and therefore my circumstances right now are just that, circumstantial, and I’ve seen a lot worse.”
