LISBON, PORTUGAL - MAY 23: Ellie Roebuck of FC Barcelona takes part in a training sesssion ahead of the UEFA Women's Champions League Final 2025 between FC Barcelona and Arsenal WFC at Estadio Jose Alvalade on May 23, 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
Ellie Roebuck, the talented goalkeeper who played a pivotal role in England’s victory at the Euro 2022 and their journey to the World Cup final in 2023, is reclaiming her passion for football after suffering a stroke at just 24 years of age. The incident, caused by a blood clot on her brain, threatened her promising career, but Roebuck is determined to push forward and embrace the game she loves.
A Journey of Resilience and Recovery
Roebuck began her career with Sheffield United before transferring to Manchester City in 2015. Over the years, she progressed through the youth system and made her senior debut in 2018, followed by her first appearance for the England national team later that same year. Her trajectory seemed unstoppable until the stroke in early 2023 halted her momentum.
Reflecting on how this life-changing event has shaped her, Roebuck told FourFourTwo, “Playing football now is more of a gift than anything. I used to hang a lot of my moods on winning or losing a game, but now it’s about enjoying being back on the pitch.”
She described the past 18 months as a challenging journey of self-discovery. “I’ve learned a lot about myself and now I’m in a position where I just want to crack on, fulfill my potential and push my own boundaries,” she added.
Returning to the Pitch
Roebuck faced significant challenges during her recovery. Her last match for Manchester City was in May 2023. By March 2024, she revealed that she had experienced an infarct in her occipital lobe earlier that season. Despite the setbacks, she signed a pre-contract with Barcelona in April 2024, keeping the club updated on her rehabilitation progress.
In December 2024, Roebuck made her debut for Barcelona, 19 months after her final appearance for Manchester City. However, her time at the prestigious club was short-lived; she made only two appearances before transitioning to Aston Villa in the summer of 2025.
“When something is taken away from you and you can’t do anything about it, it’s really difficult,” she reflected. “I wasn’t playing, training, doing anything for a good six months. You get in your own head a lot. It was scary to go through something so big at such a young age.”
Despite the hurdles, Roebuck emphasizes the importance of resilience. “There’ll be good and bad days, but the brain is a powerful thing. It can also be scary at times, but I’m still learning and on that journey,” she stated. “After 18 months, I’m not going to say I’m normal – because what is normal anyway? I’m just proud of myself because there were times I doubted that it would ever be possible.”
Now, as she returns to the Women’s Super League, Roebuck is excited to continue doing what she loves most: playing football and winning games. Her journey serves as a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the joy of rediscovering one’s passion against all odds.
