Bronze’s career sky-rocketed after her time in the US. She had impressed England youth coach Mo Marley and later joined her at Everton.
Moves to Liverpool, Manchester City, Lyon, Barcelona and Chelsea followed, with Bronze winning a total of five Champions League trophies, nine league titles and six domestic cups.
Former Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg, who played with Bronze at Lyon, describes her as a “hard worker” and someone she has a lot of “respect” for.
“I’m impressed by the level she’s playing at today as well,” she told BBC Sport. “She’s been through a lot in her career, injury-wise, and with different experiences.
“The fact she’s been at different clubs and always competed at a high level says a lot about her. She’s an impressive player.”
On the international stage, Bronze has become a leader.
“During the 2019 World Cup I sat on the bench for the whole time and I watched her a lot,” said England’s current captain Leah Williamson.
“I watched somebody who, at times, picked the team up and put it on her shoulders. I had never seen anyone get every single ounce out of themselves like she did.
“The devastation when we lost in France and in Australia [in 2023] shows me what it means and it makes me want to be good for her because she deserves it.”
Her performance against Norway in the 2019 World Cup, scoring a stunning long-range goal, helped England reach the semi-finals.
Four years earlier, she had done the same, against the same opponent, to announce herself to the world in the last 16 of the 2015 World Cup in Canada.
Staniforth believes that was when people first noticed Bronze, who was later named Fifa Best player in 2020, and Ballon d’Or runner-up in 2019.
Now, her legacy is clear.
She has a bursting trophy cabinet but she is also aware of her platform and has used it to raise awareness on topics such as her autism and ADHD diagnosis.
Bronze is also a board member of the Professional Footballers’ Association and on FifPro’s player council, often taking younger players under her wing, including England forward Lauren James.
“I’m incredibly proud of her. I’m in awe of what she has done and continues to do, knowing the toll it takes on her body and the mentality that’s required,” added Staniforth.
“I watch her and think: ‘How are you still going? How are you still running?’ She is a superstar.
“Everyone wants to be a little bit like Lucy Bronze.”
Additional reporting by BBC sports correspondent Katie Gornall.
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