Alex Scott has discussed the possibility of her friend and Lionesses captain Leah Williamson lifting the Euro 2022 trophy.
Scott, a former England and Arsenal star, will lead the BBC’s live coverage of Euro 2022 alongside Gabby Logan, Reshmin Chowdhury, Eilidh Barbour and Kelly Somers.
She will also present a documentary analysing the explosion in popularity of women’s football and questioning what’s in store in the future for the sport.
Speaking to journalists at the launch event for the BBC’s coverage, Scott admitted she felt “emotional” when picturing Williamson leading England to Euro 2022 glory.
“Leah is someone who's always had the qualities of being a leader, being a captain, but I think above all it’s just the person she is,” she said. “It's never about her. It's always about bringing a team together and what she can do to bring out the best from the players around her.
“I know how important the moment is going to be for her, and equally her family who travel and watch her everywhere.
“But Leah will be the first to say, lifting that trophy as a team is important. It won't be about her lifting that trophy as captain. So for them to get to the final and have that moment, will be everything. I know how special it will be.”
Scott and Williamson’s friendship dates back to playing for Arsenal together. The pair were at the club at the same time between 2014 and 2018, before Scott announced she would be hanging up her boots.
The 25-year-old Williamson has gone from strength to strength since then, becoming a key part of the Arsenal defence. She was announced as England captain in April, taking over from Steph Houghton.
When asked whether she had passed on any advice to Williamson, Scott revealed their friendship had always allowed for those conversations.
“Mine and Leah's friendship – the advice and the conversations are already always there.
“From her messaging me this morning, asking me things about what she's going through at camp at the moment, tactics, everything.
“We have that, but we equally have the friendship, which I know is just as important. When she's away from camp, sometimes she’ll need a totally different headspace and different conversations to be able to view the world and talk about things differently.
“Sometimes you just need to remove yourself or have a different conversation, for you to get back on the training field or on the pitch and be fully in it.”
Euro 2022 is set to kick off on July 6th with England’s opener against Austria at Old Trafford.
The month-long tournament will then see 16 teams battle it out for European glory. The hosts are considered one of the favourites, but teams such as Sweden, Spain, Norway and France are also strong contenders.
Despite the stiff competition, Scott backed the Lionesses to emerge triumphant at Wembley on July 31st.
“I honestly believe that we can get to the final and win it,” she said. “When you look at the squad, the players and how Sarina [Wiegman] has come in and gelled those players.
“I think she's managed to blend that youth and keep experience, which is always needed to go into a tournament.
I know it's easy to sometimes say ‘we need the youth to come through’, but to have that experience of players who have played in tournaments, and know there are highs and lows and how to manage that within a squad, is just so important.”