Stunned Leah Williamson issues crushing statement after ruptured ACL ends England captain´s World Cu

England captain Leah Williamson gave a brutal assessment of the serious knee injury that has ruled her out of the Women s World Cup, saying: Ultimately, I think it s just my time.

The 26-year-old, who led England to Euro 2022 glory, has become the latest Arsenal player to suffer a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.

Her misfortune follows that of England striker Beth Mead and Netherlands forward Vivianne Miedema, club-mates of Williamson who are also both set to miss the July-August tournament in Australia and New Zealand.

It is an injury that is far more prevalent in the women s game than among men, and Williamson is struggling to express her sorrow over the crushing blow she has suffered. She may not play again this year.

She issued a statement shortly after Arsenal confirmed the severity of the injury, which was sustained in Arsenal s 1-0 defeat to Manchester United in the Women s Super League on Wednesday, when Williamson caught her studs in the turf at Leigh Sports Village.

Pained by the situation that has been sprung on her, Williamson said: Until I have the words to express my feelings properly I will struggle to verbalise them. The noise around the situation is loud and I need some quiet to let it all sink in.

Unfortunately the World Cup and Champions League dream is over for me and everyone will think that s the main focus, but it s the day to day of what I m about to go through that is the most draining of my thoughts.

I had my tears and made my peace with it the night it happened and since then I have been following the steps I m told to, in order to best help myself in the short and long term.

Ultimately, I think it s just my time. In the past couple of years alone I have watched team-mates beat serious illnesses and adversity with the biggest of smiles on their faces.

I also hold perspective that globally there are much greater difficulties and therefore my circumstances right now are just that, circumstantial, and I ve seen a lot worse.

England team-mates Chloe Kelly, Fran Kirby, Keira Walsh, Ella Toone and Alessia Russo were among those to send messages of support, with Williamson having led the Lionesses to Finalissima glory against Brazil just two weeks ago.

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