Q&A with Lucy Bronze

If you weren’t a footballer, what other career would you like to have tried?

I probably would have still been some sort of athlete... I fancied myself as a bit of a tennis player when I was younger. Well, my mum got me into playing tennis when I was 10 or 11 because she didn’t really know much about football and thought, ‘I’ll get her into tennis and she can be a pretty little girl,’ but I wasn’t having any of it! I was sticking with my footy kit.

What’s been the best moment of your career so far?

Playing in the World Cup, getting a bronze medal and beating the Germans!

What’s your most treasured possession?

I’m not bothered about mobile phones, pictures, medals or trophies, just my family. It sounds a bit clichéd and corny, but it’s just how I am.

How would you describe your perfect weekend?

It would have to involve a football match – whether I was playing or watching. Then I’d get some fish and chips with loads of salt and vinegar on them.

What would be your tipple of choice?

Growing up, my mum drank gin and tonic, and Baileys, and I know they can be seen as drinks for older people, but they’re my two favourites.

What are you most scared of?

Needles. I’m not scared of snakes, spiders, flying... nothing scares me apart from needles. I just hate them. Which is quite funny because I’ve had four knee operations and I’ve got tattoos so I’ve seen a few needles in my time.

Are you a cat or dog person?

Dog. I grew up with dogs, and I was actually talking to my roommate this week about going to get a dog from the dog shelter.

Where are your favourite places in the North East?

I like where I lived in Alnwick, I always tell people about it. There’s so much to do there even though it’s so small and quaint. I play with a lot of foreign people and they only know London, and I always tell them they need to go up North, to Alnmouth beach and Lindisfarne Castle.

What’s on your playlist right now?

I like to listen to Chris Brown and RnB.

What boxsets are you watching?

I’ve just finished watching Prison Break. When you’re travelling and in a hotel for weeks on end, everyone just picks a boxset to watch and then recommends it to each other! I was spending days on end during the World Cup watching episode after episode.

Where did you go on your last holiday?

I went to America for three weeks and visited Arizona, California, Las Vegas and Miami. I hired a Mustang.

If you could travel in time, where would you go?

I’d go forward in time. It would be cool to see my kids’ kids’ kids and see what the world’s like.

Who’s the most famous person you’ve met?

I’ve met lots of footballers like Alan Shearer, David Beckham and Steven Gerrard. I don’t really get starstruck because I just think they’re another footballer like me; they just get paid a lot more.

What would you order in a restaurant?

Ribs. Steak. Both together if I could – I eat quite a lot!

Would you say you’re a starter or dessert person?

Everyone who knows me knows that I always eat cake. My nutritionist hates it, but I just tell her I like to eat it and she’s not going to stop me!

What’s your biggest indulgence?

Cake! When I came back from the World Cup, I was so tired and hungry so I just thought I’d go to the shops and buy myself a cake for dessert. But they didn’t have any individual ones, just this big sticky toffee pudding which was meant for four people. I bought that and some squirty cream and custard and just ate the whole thing in one night! I always think it doesn’t matter because I play football and have to run around all day.