#hannah-hampton

#hannah-hampton

I don't think doctors would have ever predicted - or anyone would ever predict - that your national goalkeeper has got no depth perception and was born with a squint. I don't think that would have ever come into people's minds that it would be possible. But I think I've just always tried to prove doctors wrong from the get-go when they said that I'm not allowed to play professional sports, and I just wanted to do what made me happy and put the smile on my face.

Last year was the perfect example of their issues on the continent. The west London side went unbeaten on their way to a domestic treble that included a sixth successive Women's Super League (WSL) title, the Subway Cup and the FA Cup. Yet in the Champions League, they suffered a damaging 8-2 defeat on aggregate to Barcelona in the semifinals.

Spain and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmatí made history by becoming the first footballer to win the women's Ballon d'Or three times, while England's Lionesses were also recognised at the awards ceremony on Monday (21 September) night. The women's Ballon d'Or, officially known as Ballon d'Or Féminin and held at the Theatre Théâtre du Châtelet, in Paris, recognises the best female footballer of the year, as voted for by a panel of journalists.

Hannah Hampton displayed remarkable composure and agility in the penalty shootout against Sweden, saving two penalties that contributed to England's victory and semi-final advancement.