Lucy Bronze warns fellow players to 'think about life after football' as Chelsea and England star says 99.99% of women stars can't afford to retire on salaries

Bronze believes that despite the growing popularity and revenue in women’s football, only a tiny fraction of players, approximately 0.01 per cent, are in a financial position to retire comfortably. The 33-year-old England international acknowledged that while she personally could manage a stable retirement, most of her colleagues will need to consider future career options.

Addressing the disparity, Bronze explained how her financial planning and disciplined lifestyle have allowed her the possibility of retirement, a privilege few of her peers in the sport can enjoy.

"Probably 99.9% of women's players… you have to think about life after football," she told Sky News.

"I don't live a crazy lifestyle with crazy cars or houses. So I could retire and live on my investments. I've been smart with my money, I've paid off student loans throughout my career. I know I've been successful in teams with a lot of money… I'm probably in that top per cent."

Bronze’s comments come on the heels of revelations by former England captain Steph Houghton, who reflected on her early career earnings. Speaking to the BBC, Houghton shared that during her time with Arsenal, she received an annual salary of just £4,000 and through bonuses, a part-time coaching stint and a club ambassador role she managed to reach £9,000.

"It was never about the money when I joined Arsenal," said Houghton to BBC Radio. "Now I look back at those figures and I think 'oh my god'. I was living in London, although I was fortunate that the club paid for the apartment. At the same time, to live off that and try and save for a house, simple things we all do as human beings, it was quite tough to do."

Bronze also addressed the impact of England’s historic Women’s Euro 2022 victory, which brought newfound recognition to the Lionesses and increased visibility to the women’s game. Reflecting on her own experience, she explained that her personal career rise was more of a gradual process, and the Euro win, while transformative, didn’t dramatically alter her life as it might have for less established players.

"I didn't have to go from 0 to 100 overnight. I had a steady buildup throughout my career," she said. "Winning the Euros - it changed things, but I'd already had that experience."

Amid these reflections, Bronze remains focused on her role at Chelsea, with high-stakes games on the horizon. She is set to play against Liverpool this Sunday, followed by a critical Women's Super League match against Manchester City. As things currently stand, City sits at the top of the table, holding a four-point lead over Chelsea.