From Sheffield to sold out stadiums in Spain; Ellie Roebuck, the European Champion

It’s not everyday that one gets to become a professional football player. The trials, the tribulations, the pressure, the probability. Not to forget many challenges and cut throat competition along the way. Ultra competitiveness, unbearable expectations. Even then, it’s even more rare that a professional football player gets to represent their favourite childhood club. A study done by the University of Essex in England revealed that only 4% of teenage academy players rise through the ranks and become professional. For the rest, a dream is a dream. For FC Barcelona Femení and England international goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck, a dream is reality.

Hailing from South Yorkshire, about 1,775 km away from Barcelona, a young Roebuck was born in 1999. Throughout her youth career, Roebuck represented Sheffield United and England youth teams including at the U17 and U19 levels. She is best known for her tenure at Manchester City, a powerhouse in English football and a UEFA Women’s Champions League disruptor. Although Manchester City have never won a UEFA Women’s Champions League title, their recent form proves that they are ready to rumble, defeating Barcelona Femení in a group stage match back in October 2024. Since the age of 15, Roebuck made 93 appearances for Manchester City and 11 starts for the Lionesses, England’s senior women’s national team. Roebuck is the only player on Barça Femení’s current roster along with Keira Walsh to have claimed a UEFA Women’s EUROs title as part of the Lionesses. On their EUROs 2022 journey, England beat a stacked Spain squad in the quarterfinals consisting of a majority of Culers.

Although proper English at heart, Roebuck admits to being a Barcelona fan throughout childhood. At the age of 8, she attended Camp Nou to watch a live match with her parents; The same Camp Nou where Barcelona Femení have sold out record attendance numbers multiple times. Roebuck also described Barcelona Femení as the “perfect team” when singing in Summer 2024 on a free transfer. Perhaps it was a “perfect” fit, but not without imperfect circumstances. In March 2024, Roebuck announced that she had withstood a left occipital infarct, or stroke in the brain, causing changes in vision and function. That would explain why she had not previously played any match since 2023, sitting out most of the 2023/24 season while not feeling well. Roebuck was afraid that she would not be able to play football again, but luckily revealed that no lasting damage had been done to the brain. After miraculously receiving the all clear from medical professionals to participate in sport again, an emphasis on health was placed wherein Roebuck’s message conveyed; Life is short, enjoy it and take care of yourself. That’s why 303 days later, it was an even more momentous occasion when she made her first appearance for Barcelona Femení.

Making her debut against Real Betis on December 7th 2024, Roebuck impressed the women’s football world with a tremendous comeback story and only conceding 1 goal in a 4-1 victory, bolstering Barcelona Femení’s dominance in Liga F. Roebuck has come a long way and many are confident that she will make further appearances for her childhood club. She is a vital asset to the squad whether home or away and has accustomed herself in a very short time. More trophies are to be collected and more dreams turned to reality, thanks to Ellie Roebuck.