McDonald’s after Ballon d’Or! How Leah Williamson & model girlfriend Elle Smith celebrated success for Arsenal & Lionesses at Golden Ball ceremony in Paris

Williamson enjoyed a memorable 2024-25 with club and country, with her exploits at domestic, continental and international level ensuring that she was always going to be handed an invitation to the glitzy Ballon d’Or extravaganza in Paris. The English capital was swapped for its French equivalent on September 22. Smith also made a point of jetting in for the occasion so that she could be by her partner’s side.

Smith was a regular at knockout fixtures involving England at Euro 2025, as the Lionesses successfully defended their title on Swiss soil. She donned custom Lionesses jerseys and lapped up wild celebrations after seeing Williamson get her hands on another major honour as captain of her country. Smith also figured prominently in the parties which accompanied Arsenal’s Champions League triumph in May.

Smith has shared some of the snaps that were captured during her evening out alongside Williamson at the 2025 Ballon d’Or. She saw Arsenal’s exploits recognised, as they walked away with the Women’s Club of the Year award, while Lionesses hero Hannah Hampton landed the inaugural women’s Yashin Trophy - which is awarded to the best goalkeeper on the planet.

Williamson was on hand to savour the successes of her own club and those of international colleagues, with a memorable night being enjoyed by all. Once the festivities were over, with a hunger having been worked up, Smith has revealed that her party made a point of ordering some fries and nuggets from McDonald’s - with the A-list lifestyle being shunned for a few minutes.

Arsenal women’s boss Renee Slegers - who was joined on stage by Williamson and Co - delivered an iconic speech when accepting the Club of the Year award. She said to those in attendance and watching on from around the world: “It’s a true honour for Arsenal to be recognised as women’s club of the year. I’m proud to stand here. Community is what we’re building at Arsenal Women. I have to thank our wonderful supporters, who are and have always been such an integral part of what we do at the club. Thank you all again for this award. Invest in women. Invest in women’s sports. When we do that, all of us benefit.”

Hampton - who performed penalty-saving heroics for England at Euro 2025 - said of winning her goalkeeper gong: "I don't think it's an achievement for me, I think it's an achievement for women's goalkeeping. I stand on the shoulders of so many great goalkeepers of the past. Sitting along with my fellow nominees, it's an honour to be a part of such an incredible group and inspiring goalkeepers of the future generation coming through."

Williamson is not the first Lionesses star to celebrate a night at a prestigious awards ceremony with a spot of McDonald’s. Back in January 2024, after attending the FIFA Best ceremony, Manchester United and England playmaker Ella Toone enjoyed a similar feast. She said in a video posted on social media: “From the FIFA awards, to the golden arches. Come on!” A theme is clearly emerging, with Williamson and Smith taking inspiration from a familiar face.

Williamson's attention is back on her day job at present, with WSL and Champions League campaigns underway in 2025-26, with much of the summer having been spent alongside Smith. After welcoming her to Switzerland for major tournament action, the pair soaked up sun and spa treatments at exclusive hotels during a post-Euros vacation in New York. Arsenal, who have made an unbeaten start to the new WSL season, will be back in action on Saturday when playing host to Aston Villa - with Williamson currently unavailable as she recovers from a knee injury.