England’s record goalscorer Ellen White has revealed she suffered a punctured lung last year while receiving acupuncture treatment.
Ellen white : Lung | Acupuncture | Retirement | Stats
Ellen Toni Convery (born 9 May 1989), commonly known as Ellen White, is an English former professional footballer who played as a forward. She is the record England women’s goal scorer.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ellen Toni Convery | ||
| Birth name | Ellen Toni White | ||
| Date of birth | 9 May 1989 | ||
| Place of birth | Aylesbury, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
With England, she has competed at three FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments: in the 2011, 2015 and 2019, reaching the semi-finals in 2015 and 2019 and finishing third in 2015.
White earned the Bronze Boot award at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.
She represented Great Britain team at the 2012 and 2020 Summer Olympics.
Ellen white lung
“It was a really traumatic time for me and something that I’m still figuring out now, still working through,” Ellen White told BBC Sport how her decision to retire was accelerated by suffering a punctured lung.
The 33-year-old England and Manchester City striker, who confirmed the end of her career on Tuesday, endured the “traumatic” experience last year while receiving acupuncture treatment.
White had suffered back spasms after returning from the Tokyo Olympics and Manchester City arranged for her to meet an elite sports physiotherapist to provide her with acupuncture last August.
Acupuncture
Fine needles are inserted at certain points in the body to stimulate nerves during acupuncture.
“It punctured my lung which isn’t something that happens normally, obviously,” she said.
“It was a really traumatic time for me and something that I’m still figuring out now, still working through.
“I had to wait for the lung to basically inflate again. I had a needle put into my chest to drag all the air out then hopefully the lung would inflate again – which it has.
“At the time, I think for me, I just got into a zone of: ‘I need to get back playing. We’ve got these games – I want to be back playing for my club; I want to be back playing for England.'”
Ellen white Retirement
The England and Manchester City forward Ellen White has announced her retirement at the age of 33, saying all her football “dreams came true” in winning Euro 2022.
England Women’s all-time record goalscorer with 52 goals, White earned 113 caps for her country.
“This has been one of the hardest decisions of my life but one that I know is right for me,” she said. “This decision has always been one I have wanted to make on my terms. And this is my time to say goodbye to football and watch the next generation shine.
“It has been my greatest honour and privilege to play this game. In particular playing for England has and always will be the greatest gift. My dreams came true on July 31, winning the Euros and becoming a European champion.”
Stats
White played for England at under-17, under-19, under-20 and under-23 levels. She made her senior England debut in March 2010 at home to Austria, scoring in the final minute as England won 3–0.
| Senior career* | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2005–2008 | Chelsea | 48 | (21) |
| 2008–2010 | Leeds Carnegie | 24 | (17) |
| 2010–2013 | Arsenal | 32 | (11) |
| 2014–2016 | Notts County | 24 | (6) |
| 2017–2019 | Birmingham City | 26 | (23) |
| 2019–2022 | Manchester City | 56 | (20) |
| Total | 217 | (98) | |
| National team | |||
| 2010 | England U23 | 3 | (0) |
| 2010–2022 | England | 113 | (52) |
| 2012–2022 | Great Britain Olympic | 8 | (6) |
After being selected in England’s 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup squad, White scored in a 2–0 group stage win over Japan, who ultimately won the trophy.
White was recognised for her form over 2011, being voted the England Women’s Player of the Year.
White was selected for England’s UEFA Women’s Euro 2013 Squad.
However, after scoring England’s only goal in the friendly defeat to Sweden leading into the tournament, White was left frustrated by lack of service throughout the tournament as England failed to progress from the group stage.