Chelsea and England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton has declared that female footballers possess equal or superior toughness to their male counterparts.
The shot-stopper, who features as Glamour magazine's Women of the Year 2025 cover star, addressed widespread misconceptions about women's physical and mental resilience in professional football.
Her comments arrive as the 24-year-old reflects on her remarkable performances during England's triumphant Euro 2025 campaign this summer.
Hampton's extraordinary display of determination became a viral sensation when she successfully saved two penalties whilst using a tampon to control bleeding from her right nostril.
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The injury occurred following a collision with a Swedish player during the quarter-final match.
Despite medical staff's inability to halt the nosebleed, Hampton continued her heroic performance throughout the dramatic penalty shootout.
Hannah Hampton saved two penalties with a tampon up her nose to stop bleeding
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Her team-mate Lucy Bronze demonstrated similar fortitude, strapping her own leg during extra time in the same match.
Bronze later disclosed she had competed throughout the entire tournament whilst suffering from a fractured tibia, further illustrating the remarkable pain threshold female footballers routinely demonstrate.
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Hannah Hampton insisted women players just 'get on with it' as opposed to men's footballers
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"I think a lot of people knock us women for not being capable of all the physical battles and mental battles that you have to go through," Hampton told Glamour.
"We are just as tough, if not tougher, than the men. We get on with things."
The goalkeeper expressed pride after receiving unexpected recognition from Dame Emma Thompson.
"Someone sent me a video the other day of Dame Emma Thompson saying, 'You know what I saw recently?
"Hannah Hampton doing a penalty shoot-out with a tampon up her nose'. I thought, 'I've officially made it', the highlight of my year."
Hampton emphasised female players' commitment to advancing women's football.
"We learn to just pick ourselves up and keep breaking down those barriers as much as we possibly can to help the women's game grow. And if that's us playing through knocks and bumps, we'll do just that."
Hannah Hampton has pledged herself to expanding women's football
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Hampton addressed the concerning statistic that 49 per cent of adolescent girls abandon sport due to confidence issues, acknowledging body image as a significant factor.
"It's definitely a big thing. So many times, I see myself in photos or I see myself on video and I judge myself," she admitted.
The goalkeeper emphasised that self-perception rarely reflects others' views. "I'm probably my own worst critic. Let's be honest, everyone is," she said, noting that personal qualities matter more than appearance.
Hampton advocated embracing athletic physiques. "Body image is obviously a big thing for women, but it's also our strength," she stated.
"You want to be strong, you want to be fit, you want to be healthy. And I've always said, getting those chubby thighs, it's fine."