Quick Read
- Hannah Hampton was a key figure in England’s Euro 2025 win, saving two penalties in the final shootout against Spain.
- She helped Chelsea secure a domestic treble and won the Yashin Trophy as the world’s best goalkeeper.
- Hampton has faced criticism from former teammates but maintains focus and professionalism.
- Born with an eyesight condition, Hampton’s journey is marked by overcoming personal challenges.
- Her family, especially her brother, played a crucial role in her sporting career.
Hannah Hampton: From Penalty Shootout Glory to Sports Personality Nominee
On December 18, 2025, the BBC Sports Personality of the Year shortlist sparked heated debate across the UK. Among the six contenders, one name stood out for her dramatic impact on the sporting year: Hannah Hampton, England’s goalkeeper, whose Euro 2025 heroics helped the Lionesses lift the trophy for a second consecutive time. Yet, Hampton’s rise to the national spotlight is not just a story of success on the pitch—it’s also one of personal challenge, resilience, and the complexities that come with high-profile achievement.
Penalty Heroics and European Triumph
England’s journey to the Euro 2025 crown was defined by tense moments and breathtaking saves. While Chloe Kelly’s winning penalty in the final against Spain was a highlight watched by over 16 million viewers, it was Hampton who kept England in contention. In both the quarter-final against Sweden and the final versus Spain, Hampton made two vital penalty saves, cementing her reputation as one of the world’s finest goalkeepers. As reported by The Independent and Mirror, her performance was not only pivotal for the team’s success but also a personal triumph after years of hard work and overcoming adversity.
Beyond the international stage, Hampton’s domestic form was equally impressive. She played a crucial role in Chelsea’s unbeaten treble season, claiming the Women’s Super League, FA Cup, and League Cup. Her efforts did not go unnoticed: in September, she was awarded the Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d’Or ceremony, formally recognizing her as the world’s best goalkeeper.
The Criticism and the Response: Navigating the Spotlight
With accolades come scrutiny. Earlier in the year, Hampton faced public criticism from former England goalkeeper Mary Earps, who, in her autobiography, questioned Hampton’s behavior in previous squads and implied her recall to the national team was undeserved. The comments stirred debate among fans and pundits, but England manager Sarina Wiegman defended her selection, citing Hampton’s professionalism and impact.
Hampton herself addressed the controversy with measured calm: “People are entitled to their opinions. People can say whatever they want to say. It’s down to myself whether I want to let that affect me. I’m just going to focus on myself, that’s all I can do.” In that response, Hampton showed the same composure off the field as she does facing a penalty kick, choosing to focus on her own performance rather than external judgments.
Behind the Gloves: Personal Struggles and Family Support
Hampton’s journey is also marked by personal challenges that have tested her resolve. Born with strabismus, an eye condition affecting depth perception, she underwent several operations as a child and still faces difficulties in everyday tasks. Yet, her determination to overcome these obstacles has fueled her drive to excel in football. “I’ve always gone through life trying to prove people wrong,” she shared before the Euros—a sentiment that resonates with anyone who has battled adversity.
Family has played a pivotal role in Hampton’s career. On the red carpet at the BBC Sports Personality awards, she credited her brother for sacrificing his own sporting ambitions to support her rise. “My brother’s given up his own sporting career to help me get to the top of mine. I’ve always been admired by my brother’s strength and determination,” she told The Independent. This foundation of support has anchored her through the pressures of elite sport.
Moments of Ingenuity: The Water Bottle Incident and Sporting Culture
Sports fans love a good anecdote, and Hampton’s candid admission about her penalty shootout preparation—writing notes on her arm instead of a water bottle, and allegedly tossing aside an opponent’s bottle—added to her cult hero status. “You’ve got to do something, haven’t you?” she joked. Though Spain’s keeper Cata Coll disputed the story, the episode highlights the gamesmanship and psychological tactics that define top-level competition.
Legacy, Impact, and the Public Vote
With the BBC Sports Personality award decided by public vote, the debate is fierce. Will Hampton’s heroics and her compelling backstory win over voters, or will the spotlight fall on her teammate Chloe Kelly, or even on golf’s Rory McIlroy, who had a career-defining year? As The Independent notes, the presence of two Lionesses on the shortlist could split votes, but Hampton’s case is strong: without her, England’s Euro run might have ended early.
More broadly, Hampton’s journey reflects the evolution of women’s football in England. The Lionesses’ back-to-back European titles and growing fan base have changed perceptions and inspired a new generation. Under Sarina Wiegman, named BBC Coach of the Year for the second time (AOL), the team has reached unprecedented heights, with Hampton at the heart of their recent triumph.
Role Models and the Road Ahead
In interviews, Hampton speaks often of the importance of role models—family, teammates, and trailblazers in women’s football. Her story is one of perseverance, shaped by those around her and the obstacles she’s overcome. As the awards ceremony unfolds, Hampton’s journey offers a reminder: sporting greatness isn’t just about medals and trophies, but about resilience, character, and the impact athletes have beyond the game.
Looking at the facts, Hannah Hampton’s candidacy for BBC Sports Personality of the Year is built on more than sporting achievement—it’s a testament to her resilience, her pivotal role in England’s historic Euro triumph, and the personal challenges she’s overcome. Whether or not she claims the trophy, Hampton has already won something greater: the respect and admiration of fans who see her not just as a goalkeeper, but as a role model for persistence and integrity in sport.