Ellie Roebuck, the talented England and Barcelona goalkeeper, sits outside her favorite coffee shop in the Spanish sunshine sipping a flat white. At first glance, she looks like a player who has it all. However, Roebuck’s journey over the past year has been nothing short of extraordinary, and it is a testament to her strength and resilience.
This time last year, the 25-year-old footballer faced a terrifying challenge that left her fearing for her future in football. In February 2023, Roebuck was diagnosed with a stroke at just 24 years old, an event that would drastically alter her life both on and off the pitch. The stroke, which affected her vision and overall well-being, left Roebuck contemplating whether she would ever be able to return to playing football.
Her story is one of sport’s most remarkable comebacks, and it serves as an inspiring reminder of the strength of the human spirit. In this article, we delve deeper into Ellie Roebuck’s journey, from the moment of diagnosis to her emotional return to football, and how she found new purpose in life.
Ellie Roebuck’s Stroke Diagnosis: A Life-Changing Moment
The stroke that Ellie Roebuck suffered at the age of 24 was a devastating and frightening diagnosis. As a professional footballer with years of experience under her belt, including being part of the England squad that won the Euros in 2022 and reached the World Cup final in 2023, Roebuck had never anticipated facing such a serious medical crisis. However, just months after returning from the World Cup in Sydney, Roebuck began experiencing troubling symptoms.
It started as a sense of dizziness, nausea, and a general feeling of being “off balance.” She also began to experience black dots affecting her vision, something that raised concerns for her. Initially, the symptoms were attributed to a blow to the back of her head during a training session, which she assumed was a concussion.
However, Roebuck soon realized that something was not quite right. “I knew it wasn’t concussion,” she said. “I’ve had concussion before. I just knew something wasn’t right.” After persistent symptoms and growing concern, Roebuck requested a head scan for peace of mind. When the club doctor called her in urgently following the results, she knew the news wouldn’t be good.
When the doctor informed her that she had suffered an infarct in her left occipital lobe—a type of stroke—Roebuck was devastated. The occipital lobe, responsible for visual processing, meant that the stroke could have serious consequences on her vision, including the potential for permanent blindness. Roebuck’s first question to the doctor was, “Am I going to play football again?”
At the time, no one could answer that question. The uncertainty surrounding her future in football only added to the anxiety that Roebuck was already experiencing.
A Stroke in the Midst of a Dream Move: Roebuck’s Struggles
Just two weeks before receiving her stroke diagnosis, Ellie Roebuck had formalized her exit from Manchester City, the club where she had been since the age of 15, signing a pre-contract to join European champions Barcelona in the summer of 2023.
But the timing of the diagnosis could not have been worse. Roebuck, who had spent years building her career, found herself in the midst of a dream move, but one that now seemed uncertain due to her medical condition.
Roebuck was immediately sent to accident and emergency for treatment. “I was sat in A&E with all the people on a Thursday night who’d been out drinking,” she recalls, “and I was just sat there thinking, ‘What is happening?’” From there, she was taken to the stroke ward, a terrifying experience that brought her face-to-face with the gravity of her condition.
The tests showed that her stroke had likely occurred three to four weeks earlier. While the hospital could not do much for her at this point, Roebuck was sent home that night with strict instructions to avoid any physical exertion. The thought of not being able to train or play for a prolonged period was difficult for someone like Roebuck, a professional athlete who was used to constant movement and competition.
“I couldn’t carry shopping for six weeks. I couldn’t do any exercise. I thought, ‘I’m a professional footballer, I can’t do that,'” she said. Roebuck was not allowed to train for 12 weeks, and the emotional toll of not knowing what caused the stroke or whether it would happen again left her feeling isolated and vulnerable.
During this time, Roebuck was incredibly cautious about her actions. She wouldn’t walk her dog or leave the house, feeling scared to do anything on her own. “That was never me. I was always super independent,” Roebuck said. Her parents even took shifts living with her, ensuring that she was never alone during her recovery.
Eventually, after undergoing numerous tests, it was discovered that Roebuck had a small hole in her heart, a condition that may have contributed to her stroke. “I was grateful that I had a hole in my heart because I found my reason,” Roebuck admits. “It could be closed, and I could move on.”
Despite the hope that came with identifying the cause, the frustration of not fully understanding the situation remained. However, Roebuck chose to focus on the positives of her recovery, embracing the fact that she had been given a second chance.
Ellie Roebuck’s Relationship with Manchester City: A Difficult Goodbye
Despite the physical recovery, Roebuck also had to confront the emotional challenges that arose from her situation. After the stroke, she was not able to play for Manchester City again, and her final season at the club was far from smooth. Roebuck admits that her relationship with manager Gareth Taylor had become “fractured” during her final months at the club.
“I don’t know whether that was me, maybe not hearing the clear communication or the fact that there just wasn’t clear communication,” she explained. “I just felt like the respect wasn’t reciprocated in the same sense.”
While Roebuck was devastated to leave the club where she had made over 100 appearances, the opportunity to join Barcelona—a club that has won three of the last four Champions League titles—was an easy decision for her.
But Roebuck’s first training session with Barcelona was far from easy. After six months away from football, she faced the daunting task of diving at opponents’ feet again. “It’s not the prettiest,” she says, but the support from her new teammates was overwhelming. Barcelona’s trust in her was more important to Roebuck than anything else, as it represented their belief in her abilities despite the uncertainty surrounding her recovery.
Ellie Roebuck’s Return to Football: A Dream Come True
Despite the challenges, Ellie Roebuck made her return to football in December 2023, making her Barcelona debut in a 4-1 win over Real Betis. This was 303 days after her stroke and more than 18 months since her last appearance in competitive football.
“I felt fine the moment I stepped out there,” Roebuck says of her debut. “That’s the kind of mantra I’m going for—every time I get that opportunity, I just want to enjoy it.”
Though Roebuck still battles symptoms like fatigue, she is focused on her future. Her love for football has only grown stronger, and her perspective on life has shifted significantly. “I value life a lot more,” she reflects. “I was stuck in a real cycle of thinking football was everything.”
Roebuck is also channeling her energy into a new venture: a coffee bean roasting company. “It’s a perfect way to start, and eventually, hopefully, one day the aim is to have a coffee shop,” she says. This new focus has allowed her to grow beyond her identity as a footballer, while still maintaining her passion for the game.
Looking Ahead: Ellie Roebuck Future in Football
As Ellie Roebuck moves forward in her career, she remains determined to be the best goalkeeper she can be. Though a return to the England squad for the upcoming Euros seems uncertain, Roebuck is focused on playing consistently for Barcelona and continuing to improve. “Now I’m prioritising the things that are most important,” she says. “And that’s being the best goalkeeper I can possibly be.”
Ellie Roebuck’s remarkable comeback from a life-threatening stroke at 24 is a story of resilience, perseverance, and unwavering determination. Her journey continues to inspire athletes around the world, reminding us all that no matter the obstacles we face, the strength to overcome them lies within.
