Euro 2025: Wales defender Esther Morgan feared she would have to retire

A popular member of the Wales squad, Morgan has completed her recovery in some style at Wales’ first major tournament, Euro 2025, starting both of Wales’ group D games against the Netherlands and France.

Morgan says she was always motivated by the prospect of returning in Switzerland during her lengthy rehabilitation, but admits she felt it was more of a pipe dream than an obtainable goal.

“Being here has been amazing, to be fair,” she said.

“I think I’m really grateful to have even made it on the plane. There was a long time that it was just something that I was trying to focus on in my rehab. I think it’s nice to have that end goal and I’m really grateful for the girls, firstly, for getting here and qualifying, because I wasn’t able to be a part of that journey.

“I think I’d be lying if I said that I thought I was going to get back to playing and let alone playing for my country. I think it has put everything into perspective for me.”

Morgan says her Wales team-mates have been a big source of inspiration as she has trodden the lonely path of recovering from two serious injuries.

“I think I’ve had a rough journey through football so far,” she said. “I’m grateful it’s my journey and it’s something that no one can take away from me.

“I think having two major injuries, I’m only 22, I’ve been out for the best part of two years of my career and it’s a hard thing to go through.

“It’s hard to watch your teammates and your friends doing so well for club, for country. At times you do think, where am I going with this?

“But at the same time, it’s these people that you look up to and it’s people like Sophie Ingle or Jess Fishlock who have come back from serious injuries, you have to rely on their experiences.

“It’s just framed the whole thing for me that I’m so lucky to have the job that I do and I’m so grateful to be able to run, kick a ball and be with this amazing group of people, it’s really changed me, but I think changed me for the better.”