Leah Williamson Appears to Finally Confirm Relationship With Photo of Girlfriend at Ballon d’Or Awards

Leah Williamson Appears to Finally Confirm Relationship With Photo of Girlfriend at Ballon d’Or Awards

 

England football captain Leah Williamson has appeared to confirm her long-rumored relationship with American model Elle Smith, after sharing a heartfelt photo of the pair together at the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris.

The Arsenal defender, who has kept her private life largely out of the public eye, posted a series of images from the star-studded awards event on Instagram earlier this week. Among the elegant red-carpet photos and celebratory shots with fellow athletes, one particular photo stood out — a candid moment showing Williamson holding hands with Smith, both dressed in classic black evening wear and smiling affectionately at each other.

Though no caption directly addressed the nature of their relationship, fans and followers were quick to interpret the post as a quiet but confident confirmation. The caption simply read, “Ballon d’Or. Congratulations to all the winners. In awe of my teammates for club and country.” However, the inclusion of Smith in the post, paired with their warm body language, has led to an outpouring of support and celebration in the comments.

Smith also shared her own carousel of images from the evening, including a behind-the-scenes photo of the couple looking into each other’s eyes backstage. She captioned her post, “A night out in Paris 🖤,” with a black heart emoji. Among those commenting were stylists and celebrities who referred to them as “the best-looking couple of the night” and “our generation’s Posh and Becks.”

The pair have been at the center of relationship speculation for much of 2025, after being spotted together on holiday in Mallorca earlier this year and regularly engaging with one another on social media. Still, both had remained quiet on their relationship status — until now.

Williamson, 28, publicly came out as bisexual in 2022, becoming one of the most high-profile footballers in the women’s game to do so. At the time, she spoke about the importance of visibility in sport and the power of authentic representation. “If I can make one person feel more comfortable in themselves, that’s enough for me,” she said in an interview.

This latest post appears to be an extension of that quiet advocacy — choosing to live authentically, without fanfare or formal announcements. It’s a move that has been widely praised across social media, with fans expressing gratitude for her openness and the couple’s confidence.

One commenter wrote, “You don’t owe anyone a statement. This is your soft launch and we are here for it!” Another said, “Love is love, and this is beautiful.”

While no official confirmation has been issued from Williamson or Smith, the images speak volumes, and many are hailing the moment as a significant step for LGBTQ+ visibility in sport.

As Leah Williamson continues her comeback from injury and eyes a return to international football, it seems she’s also stepping into a new chapter in her personal life — and fans couldn’t be happier for her.