July 16th, 2024. Wales 2-0 Kosovo. That was to be Sophie Ingle’s last competitive game before an injury put her on the sidelines for an entire season.

An ACL injury while playing in a preseason friendly for Chelsea against Feyenoord ruled the former Wales captain out for the campaign.

Not only did she miss the treble winning season at club level, but for country, she was forced to watch on as Wales created history.

It certainly was an injury that could have stopped Ingle from fulfilling her dream of representing her country at a major tournament, but she’s delighted that she’s back in the fold.

“I feel relieved firstly to be back with the girls. I’m really excited to be back. After being out for eight months and not really being able to be on camp properly, it’s tough. But the girls have been great around my rehab and I’m really happy to be back.”

Ingle was in fact in Dublin when Wales defeated Ireland to reach Euro 2025, but her role came on the sidelines working for the BBC, not on the pitch doing what she loves best.

However, that night in the Irish capital proved to be the spark she needed to make sure she made the final 23-player roster.

“As soon as we qualified, that was my aim. I wanted to try and do everything I could to get myself on the plane. I rang my physio up at Chelsea as soon as we qualified to ask, is it doable within the timeframe? He said it was always going to be hard but let’s give it everything we’ve got.”

Sophie Ingle returns as Wales’ Euro 2025 squad is announced

CARDIFF, WALES – 01 JUNE 2025: Wales’ Angharad James and Wales’ Sophie Ingle during a training session at the Vale Resort on the 1st of June 2025. (Pic by Ashley Crowden/FAW)

Hours and hours of hard work paid off for Ingle, who will leave Chelsea at the end of her contract this summer, as she was selected for the Euros squad this summer.

The midfielder has 141 caps to her name so far, but to potentially win her next few in Wales’ first ever major tournament would be the cherry on top of the cake.

“It means everything to be able to represent Wales on the world stage. You train your whole life for moments like this. When you get a big injury and a setback, you ask yourself if things are doable and if you can do it, but I just had to graft every single day. I had a bit of luck on my side, but I’m delighted to be back with the girls.”

The Welsh squad were given a special sendoff this afternoon at Cardiff Airport, as hundreds of young people flocked to catch a glimpse of their heroes.

It was yet another reminder of how far the game has grown in Wales, and Ingle was delighted to share some specials moments with the fans.

“It feels nice to see all the fans here today. I didn’t expect this many fans and this many media outlets to be here but it’s a nice feeling to have a sendoff like this. The girls deserve it for all the work they’ve put in over the last couple of years.

“It’s huge to see this many young girls there are here, and they’re all so excited to be here. They want to be here and wish us well. They can’t all come to Switzerland unfortunately, but we know they’re going to support us right until the end back at home. That’s so important for us, and to be able to get photos with them, sign autographs means as much to them as it does for us.”

(Featured Image: Ashley Crowden/FAW)

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