Maren Mjelde overcomes injury to lead Norway at Euro 2025

Maren Mjelde — Norway’s veteran defender — has demonstrated remarkable determination by recovering from injury to compete in Euro 2025. Three months ago, she suffered a partial Achilles tendon injury that threatened her participation in this tournament.

Mjelde’s career has been filled with achievements — she has represented Norway in nine major tournaments and earned 180 international caps. Her club career has also been illustrious, particularly during her seven-year spell at Chelsea where she claimed six Women’s Super League titles.

After leaving Chelsea, Mjelde returned to her childhood club Arna-Bjørnar before joining Everton for a brief period. It was there she sustained the Achilles injury that nearly derailed her Euro 2025 dreams.

“I couldn’t believe the timing of this, how is it possible?” expressed Mjelde. “My life was quite lonely for two months there, but I knew I had to maximize the time.”

Now Mjelde has led Norway through the group stage with three victories. Her team will face Italy in the quarter-finals with high hopes of progressing further in the tournament.