LUCY BRONZE says she is gunning for Olympic glory in Tokyo after being named Fifa’s Best Women’s Player of 2020.
The Manchester City star beat off fierce competition from Chelsea’s Pernille Harder and Lyon’s Wendie Renard to claim one of football’s top prizes.
Lucy Bronze is targeting glory with Team GB at the Tokyo OlympicsCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS
And the England full-back says winning gold with Team GB under incoming coach Phil Neville is another sporting dream she is eager to achieve.
Bronze, 29, said: “I have never ever been part of an Olympics before.
“I have been to Euros and World Cups, but my eyes are firmly fixed on the Olympics and wanting to do well there and get a gold medal.
“I think it’s a realistic target to have because the talent we have in the Great Britain team will be outstanding.”
Bronze, who won the treble in France with Lyon before signing for Man City in the summer, says she is thrilled to be joining the ranks of footballing greats who include Brazil legend Marta.
Bronze added: “Marta is someone who has won this award and it’s crazy I’m up there with her.
“I don’t think I’ve really thought about that until just now, but it’s exciting to be alongside Marta. My name is on that plaque forever now, for the rest of history.
“This award is quite young in women’s football so pretty much all the previous award winners have messaged me to congratulate me.
Lucy Bronze (left) beat Pernille Harder and Wendie Renard to Fifa’s 2020 Women’s Player awardCredit: AFP or licensors
Bronze says she is ‘proud’ to be recognised for her defensive performancesCredit: AFP
“They are basically all players that I’ve looked up to throughout my career, so it’s surreal.”
Bronze, whose accolades include two PFA Player of the Year gongs, joked that some of her past awards have rarely been outside of her attic or storage boxes.
And the former Lyon star says she is pleased to see top defenders in the women’s game being recognised for their contribution to world football.
Bronze added: “I’m really proud to be representing defenders who don’t always get the limelight”
“I think it was quite special to be nominated alongside Wendie Renard who is one of my favourite players in the world.
Lucy Bronze and her Man City team-mates hope to add Champions League silverware to their trophy cabinetCredit: AFP and licensors
“I think the standard of women’s football has gone through the roof and the standard of players that get nominated and are performing on the big stage is getting crazier each year.
“Pernille Harder and Wendie Renard are not bad players to be alongside.
“Either one of them would have been just as deserving of this award.”
Lionesses in training
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
