Ella Toone has revealed that she lost a loved one just hours before she was set to take to the pitch for the Euros final against Spain on Sunday.
England won the tournament on penalties, with Chloe Kelly capping off a great tournament with the decisive spot-kick after Spain had missed three of their efforts, with Hannah Hampton saving two.
Earlier this week, the team marked the historic achievement with an open-top bus parade through the streets of London. Toone was at the heart of the celebrations alongside her team-mates and manager Sarina Wiegman as 65,000 fans packed The Mall to see the back-to-back champions.
On Thursday, however, Toone took to Instagram to reveal she'd tragically lost her grandmother just hours before she was due to play.
Ella Toone took to Instagram to reveal the loss of her grandmother
|PA
Toone wrote: “Even in the highest of highs life can hit you with the lowest of lows. 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.
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"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,” she continued.
Toone’s grandmother became an internet star after she made appearances on the midfielder's YouTube channel, with some videos gaining over 100,000 views.
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The England star continued her tribute: “All those years ago when you put a bet on at the bookies that I would play for England one day and on the day you leave us we bring it home again. You always knew it.
"Say hello to our angels up there, Grandad's been waiting for you for a while. Love you always, our 'famous' Nanna Maz.”
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Team-mates and fans showed outpourings of support for the midfielder
Fellow England star Lauren Hemp said: "Sending love Tooney."
Olympic runner Keely Hodgkinson added: "Sending love to you Ella and the fam.”
Ella Toone shared touching photos of her grandmother on social media
|Manchester United midfielder Gabby George wrote: "The strength you have is truly insane! Sending you all my love, love you so much."
The England midfielder played a crucial part in the back-to-back success of the Lionesses at the Euros and will now be taking some time off to grieve the loss of her loved one before the new WSL season begins.