Ella Toone has revealed that her beloved grandmother died just hours before the midfielder helped England to win the Euros. Toone was picked to start for the Lionesses in the final, with the defending champions eventually beating Spain on penalties. Chloe Kelly scored the decisive spot-kick which saw England retain the trophy they lifted at Wembley three years ago.

England players and staff marked their historic triumph with an open-top bus parade through the streets of London on Tuesday. Toone was at the heart of the celebrations alongside her team-mates and manager Sarina Wiegman. However, on Thursday, she took to Instagram to share the heartbreaking news that her grandmother had died just hours before the final.

"Even in the highest of highs life can hit you with the lowest of lows," wrote Toone. "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.

"All those years ago when you put a bet on at the bookies that I would play for England one day and 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. Hello Nan. It’s Ella."

Toone received a number of supportive comments after revealing the sad news, with her England team-mate Lauren Hemp saying: "Sending love Tooney."

Olympic runner Keely Hodgkinson added: "Sending love to you Ella and the fam," while Manchester United midfielder Gabby George wrote: "The strength you have is truly insane! Sending you all my love, love you so much."

Other players, including the likes of Beth Mead and Michelle Agyemang, left red heart emojis under the post while Toone's partner Joe Bunney simply wrote: "Love you."

Toone's grandmother captured the hearts of England fans through her appearances on the midfielder's YouTube channel. In one video, which has gained nearly 100,000 views, she was heard speaking to Toone on the phone.

In an interview with The Telegraph in 2023, Toone said: "My nan now thinks she’s famous off the back of it and everyone is asking about her."