Lucia, hello. I mean, it’s too late you’ve got the shade and we don’t get much sun in London these days. I know it’s more sun than anywhere else in England. How’s it like for you being in London? It’s been nice to be back. Uh, I do miss being in the sun in Barcelona, but the sun’s coming back. What’s food better in Barcaw here though. But you’ve got a personal share. I’ve seen it been going around on socials. Yeah, you know what I’m like, I like doing extra things, so it’s actually there right now. I, yeah, yeah, getting ready, getting ready for when I come home. Ultimate pro. Come on, let’s go because we’ve got loads to catch up on. Yeah. We’re gonna talk about something a bit more personal to you that went undetected for most of your life until 4 years ago. 4 years ago I did um. I don’t a test. I found out that like I have autism, but at the same time it was something that I always knew about in a in a way. Yeah, I mean I can remember when I was younger being maybe just treated a bit differently because of how I was acting. When I did this diagnosis, I was diagnosed as ADHD as well. It’s quite common for neurodiverse if you. Kind of show signs of one thing. A lot of them relate so closely. How does it like manifest in you? Some of the traits. My brain’s just like 100 miles an hour like all the time, really struggle with like sleep. I always have. I had a sleep expert and they said just um before you go to bed, write notes, like what are you thinking? And I was like, I’d write a book then, like I’m not supposed to write a book every night before bed. I was like, that’s not gonna work. Just have to exert some energy, like I’ve just got too much energy all the time. The biggest one that’s affected me was probably me being like 10 steps ahead all the time and not giving people the chance to figure that out, and I think people used to think I was like, I know it all, and I was like, no, my head’s just fought through all them processes like that. Super quick. It’s my hyper focus, football. Like everyone’s like, you’re so passionate about football, I’m like. I don’t know if I’d say I was passionate. I’m just obsessed. I always say that I’m just obsessed and I’m like that’s my autism. I think the one trait everybody always sees in me is they’re always messing with my hair. That’s me like. I don’t know, like calming myself down without even realising it. So were there times that you feel that you’d been masking things to fit in? 100%. I’ve copied behaviours of others, I think all through my twenties. Really? Yeah. When I first came to England, I would not speak to anyone. Yeah, that’s true. I mean, you spoke to me. You, to you and Yans so the two that I felt like comfortable with. And then there was all of my friends, the younger lot, like I would just watch like Jill. I watch Jill’s behaviours and think, oh, she speaks to everyone like what’s she doing? Like I just copy that of it and I’m obviously better at it now, but it’s still like. Bit uncomfortable sometimes, hugging people, eye contact when you speak, those two things I’ve like had to learn because I think they’re seen as like the norm and the two things that make me so uncomfortable. So do your England teammates now and Chelsea teammates know? Some people do. When I found out and did like the whole diagnostic thing, I remember telling like, like Demi was like, I think we were maybe living together or we were quite close to the city. And I said it to her and she was like, yeah, obviously, cause I got that reaction of everyone, my mom, my family, and they’re like, yeah, you know, like, cause I kind of told them that I’d never felt the need to like. Tell more people because people just accepted me as me. Is there medication available and have you considered? I know that there’s medication for ADHD. At first I thought maybe it’s a good thing, maybe I’ll be able to like sit still and focus and do what other people do. And then I was like, I like the way I am. I think it’s made me who I am and I think it has made me so successful at football, especially something that’s really good for. Well, ADHD especially exercise. Like having that focus, having something to do and like keeping moving, like training every day is amazing for me, even now the girls are like, are you sure you’re 33? You don’t stop. I’m like this is my superpower. Is that why you feel ready to sit down and talk about this now, because you feel so comfortable in yourself? Yeah, I couldn’t have done this 10 years ago. Last 5 years I’ve just been like. I don’t, I don’t care anymore. I’m gonna do what what makes me feel comfortable and know that the likes of Phil Neville and Serena, like, as long as you’re doing what’s best for you and the right things, then be you. And now that I know so much more and I’ve learned more, I can see these traits and other players that I’ve played with and for me, I look at them and go, I think that’s why they’re good at football. Because I think it’s such a good thing like I’m so happy about it, it is like. I guess I’m comfortable to talk about just cos it’s something new and different and not everybody understands, but I think it’s something amazing. This is the start of something bigger, because I know you’re gonna start a project. Uh yes, so I’m gonna become an ambassador for the National Autistic Society. Just raising awareness, I think getting rid of the stigma, especially for me is something that personally, I hold really close to my, to my heart. Growing up as a child that was misunderstood, I don’t want that for anybody else. You are a
n inspiration, both on and off the pitch, so I appreciate you taking the time to share your story, and it is going to help so many people. Hope so.