England midfielder Ella Toone has revealed the heartbreaking family tragedy she kept hidden during the Lionesses’ dramatic Euro 2025 final victory — the death of her beloved grandmother on the morning of the match.
Toone, 25, started the final against Spain in Basel and was substituted off for Beth Mead in the 87th minute with the scores locked at 1–1. England went on to retain their European title despite Mead missing the opening spot-kick of a dramatic penalty shootout. Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton made two crucial saves and Alex Greenwood, Niamh Charles and Chloe Kelly all successfully converted.
But behind the joy of the celebrations, Toone was carrying immense personal grief.
Posting on Instagram four days later, the Manchester United star shared that her grandmother, known affectionately as Nanna Maz, had died just hours before one of the biggest games of her career.
Alongside nine photos of her nan, Toone wrote: ‘Even in the highest of highs life can hit you with the lowest of lows. My Nana Maz took her last breath on the morning of our Euro final. I have comfort in knowing she got to watch from the best seat in the house with Dad, her favourite person.
‘I’ll miss you forever nan but I’ll cherish the special memories we made, there isn’t enough words I can possibly say to sum up the person you were, but I’m grateful you were my nanna. My football loving , crazy, funny Nan.’
Ella Toone (left) pictured in 2022 with her Nana Maz (right), who sadly died over the weekend
Toone started for England against Spain on Sunday just hours after her dear grandmother died
England beat Spain before Toone lifted the UEFA European Women’s Championship trophy
‘All those years ago when you put a bet on at the bookies that I would play for England one day & on the day you leave us we bring it home again. You always knew it.’
‘Say hello to our angels up there, grandad’s been waiting for you for a while. Love you always, our “famous” Nanna Maz x’.
The message then signed off: ‘Hello Nan. It’s Ella x’.
Toone’s father passed away in September last year, and she had already hinted at the emotional weight of Sunday’s final in a post shared shortly after full-time.
Uploading a photo of herself hugging team-mate Mead — who lost her mum in 2023 — Toone wrote: ‘We did it for our angels in the sky. Forever with us & forever proud.’
Toone also shared a picture from the family’s seating area at St. Jakob-Park. Despite the match being sold out, seat 430 was left empty. ‘Spare seat next to my mum tonight,’ she wrote. ‘If that’s not a sign I don’t know what is. I know you were there Dad. Love you cock.’
The football community quickly rallied around Toone following Thursday’s Instagram tribute.
Fellow Lioness Lauren Hemp commented: ‘Sending love Tooney’ followed by a red heart emoji.
Nana Maz was one of Toone’s biggest fans and regularly cheered her on from the sidelines
Mead left three red heart emojis beneath the post, while Gabby George, a club-mate of Toone at Manchester United, wrote: ‘The strength you have is truly insane! Sending you all my love, love you soo much Toones’.
Toone’s grandmother had become a favourite among fans after appearing in light-hearted clips on her YouTube channel. In one, she could be heard speaking with Toone on the phone — a moment that charmed viewers across the country.
Back in 2023, Toone joked: ‘My nan now thinks she’s famous off the back of it and everyone is asking about her.’
And it turns out she was also one of Toone’s earliest backers — even placing a bet when her granddaughter was still a child that she’d one day play for England.
On Sunday, that prophecy was fulfilled once again. Toone has now represented the Lionesses 65 times since 2021, scoring 23 goals.
