Lionesses star Ella Toone has revealed that her grandmother passed away on the morning of England’s Euro 2025 final win over Spain.
Toone started Sunday’s final in midfield and played for 87 minutes as the Lionesses defeated Spain on penalties to defend their European crown.
The 25-year-old, who plays her club football for Manchester United, started five of England’s six games during the tournament in Switzerland in total.
Toone, who also helped England win Euro 2022 and finish as runners-up at the 2023 World Cup, posted on Instagram on Thursday that her nan died on the morning of the Euro 2025 final.
‘Even in the highest of highs life can hit you with the lowest of lows,’ Toone, who lost her father Nick to prostate cancer last September too, explained.
‘My Nana Maz took her last breath on the morning of our Euro final.
‘I have comfort in knowing she got to watch from the best seat in the house with Dad, her favourite person.
‘I’ll miss you forever nan but I’ll cherish the special memories we made, there isn’t enough words I can possibly say to sum up the person you were, but I’m grateful you were my nanna.
‘My football loving, crazy, funny Nan. All those years ago when you put a bet on at the bookies that I would play for England one day & on the day you leave us we bring it home again.
‘You always knew it. Say hello to our angels up there, grandads been waiting for you for a while.
‘Love you always, our ‘famous‘ Nanna Maz x.’
A number of Toone’s England teammates have commented on the social media post to offer their support.
‘Sending love tooney,’ Lauren Hemp wrote.
Beth Mead, meanwhile, responded with three red heart emojis.
Toone has earned 65 caps for England to date, having made her international debut in 2021, scoring a total of 23 goals.
She scored twice at Euro 2025, which came in the 6-1 win over Wales and 4-0 victory over the Netherlands respectively.
Toone was named in the FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11 two years ago.
She’s also been crowned Manchester United Women Player of the Year on three occasions, most recently last season.