Lucy bronze always knew that she was different.

When she was growing up, England International, who won almost every appreciation in women’s football, tried to copy the behavior of her teammates to fit.

The 2019 Bellon D’Or-Ronar-up has achieved excellent success in both by winning 22 major trophies, winning 22 major trophies, winning 22 major trophies, representing Liverpool, Manchester City, Leon, Barcelona and Chelsea.

A Euro 2022 winner and 2023 World Cup runner-up with England is an inspiration for millions of young players and fans. But statistics and respect are not only one thing that makes a person.

Her mother had long suspected that she could be autistic, but it was not four years ago that bronze was officially diagnosed as autism., external And ADHD , external(Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).

Speaking specifically from BBC Sport before Neurodiversity Celebration Week, bronze first opened its diagnosis and has an impact on and his life.

Although the bronze was diagnosed as autistic only in 2021, this news did not come as a very surprise for him.

“It was something that I always knew in a way,” she says. “My mother had talked about it from a very young age and saw things in me.”

Her situation in school revealed himself in her struggle to read and magic, and she came to know dyslexia.

Since childhood bronze has struggled to sleep, a sleep specialist suggested that it can be written in a magazine before bed.

“I will then write a book,” Bronze says with a smile. “My brain is like 100mph, even when lying in bed.”

The bronze struggles to contact the eye with people during conversation, while her habit of touching her hair during the game is seen equally by teammates and fans.

“People feel that ‘she is playing about forever’, but it is just calming me without calming myself,” reflects bronze.

It was during a lioness training camp that bronze learned that he had ADHD and autism.

“It essentially changed nothing, but it was an eye -opening,” says bronze.

“I just learned more about myself, understanding that in some situations I saw things differently for other people or worked in a different way for others.

“Sitting and talking through my symptoms really and how it affects me, situations that make me feel good or bad, it was the thing that really clicked in my head and made me feel so better.”

Bronze describes how he “copy of others’ behavior” through the 20s to make his autism a mask “.

The National Autistic Society defines masking as a strategy as a strategy as a strategy in an attempt to ‘fit’ into a neurotipical society “consciously or unknowingly.

It can have a devastating effect on mental health, feeling of self and an autism diagnosis.

“I couldn’t talk to anyone when I first joined England,” says bronze.

“(I remember) Casey Stony said to me, ‘You have never seen me in the eye while talking, and I was so,’ This is not because of you, it’s me ‘.

“I will look at Jill (Scott) and how she speaks to people. I thought I would copy it a little. I am better on it but I sometimes feel a little uncomfortable.

“Hugging people, when you speak, contact the eyes, the two things that I had to learn because they are seen as an ideal, and I found them so difficult.”

Fortunately for bronze, there is always a friend and family around him who understood if he feels uncomfortable.

“I have now reached a point where people know that I do not like hug, so they do not judge me not to do so,” she says.

“Before it was so disappointing because I felt that I had to do so so that other people could feel comfortable, but it made me feel more uncomfortable.

“It is important for everyone to understand the difference in people.”

Bronze has found that some of his differences have been his strength.

“How do I process things, being super-focused. People always say, ‘Oh, you are very emotional about football”, “Bronze.

“I don’t know that if I would say that I am emotional, I am obsessed. This is my autism, it’s my hyper-focus on football.”

As someone began playing senior football at the age of 16, it is noteworthy that the bronze is still performing at the highest level at 33.

She says that she is autism to thank you for partially thanks to her longevity.

“Something that is really good for ADHD and autism is exercise. That focus, to do something, keep moving,” she says.

“Training every day is amazing for me. Some other girls will be like: ‘Are you sure you are 33 because you don’t stop?” Whatever things I have due to autism, they have worked in my profit. ,

Bronze says that “a diagnosis is not going to change who you are, but to understand who you are so good”.

She has become an ambassador for the National Autistic Society to “raise awareness” and help it to “get rid of stigma” around it.

“There were times in my life where things could be easy for me if there was no stigma, if I felt that I could be more open about it,” Bronze.

“It is very difficult to misunderstand when you are small, which is why I wanted to join donations.”

Bronze says that football has helped her, giving her a chance to focus on every day and remain active. But what happens when she retires?

“People say they are worried about what I will do when I do not have football, but I will get something else,” she says.

“Still with football, my head is with it everywhere because I am very passionate.

“Not just sports, but also boardrooms, coaching, physio. I suffer from all this.”