Entertainment (Commonwealth Union) _ Grammy-winning musician Burna Boy astonished fans and players by appearing at the England Women’s Euro 2025 celebration parade at Buckingham Palace. The Nigerian artist, famous for his international performances and distinctive Afrobeat, took to the stage, highlighting one of the pivotal moments during the celebration of the Lionesses’ victory against Spain in Basel, Switzerland. It was the second consecutive occasion that England secured the 2025 European Championship title, after a thrilling final that finished 1-1 in extra time and was resolved by a tight penalty shootout. Chloe Kelly, who previously netted the winning goal in the Euro 2022 final, was crucial again, converting the last penalty to secure a 3-1 victory.
The victory etched itself in history as the first time any England national football team, male or female, had secured a major international trophy on foreign soil.
As the squad celebrated outside the royal residence, former England international Alex Scott reminded head coach Sarina Wiegman of a lighthearted moment from 2022. “Three years ago in Trafalgar Square you said, ‘I am not ready to dance; the music was not quite right.’ Well, the surprise right now — we know who your favourite artist is,” Scott teased the crowd. “Please give it up for Sarina’s favourite artist. Burna Boy is coming to the stage.”
The Dutch-born Wiegman, who has managed the Lionesses since 2021, reacted with genuine shock, shouting, “Oh, no way,” as the Afrobeat sensation emerged from backstage. The emotional coach hugged the singer tightly before the two joined in a spontaneous sing-along, dancing to his 2022 hit “For My Hand”, which featured Ed Sheeran, from his sixth studio album, “Love, Damini.”
In addition to hyping up the crowd, the performance also reignited interest in Burna Boy’s track, pushing it back into the UK iTunes Top 10, where it soared to the No. 10 spot just hours after the appearance. Fans flooded social media with clips of the performance, calling it one of the most memorable moments of the celebration.
Wiegman had previously revealed during a 2023 interview that she was a devoted Burna Boy fan. “I don’t know the name of the song,” she admitted at the time, “but the one with Ed Sheeran—I’ve definitely played that the most.” The connection between the coach and the artist was evident on stage, with Burna Boy’s heartfelt performance adding a layer of personal emotion to an already jubilant day.
The Lionesses’ parade followed a visit to 10 Downing Street, where they were congratulated by UK Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, the celebrations honoring the team’s spirit throughout the tournament. Michelle Agyemang, a 19-year-old of Ghanaian descent, was among the breakout stars, scoring pivotal goals in the quarter-finals and semi-finals.
Agyemang subsequently received the Young Player of the Tournament award, confirming her position as one of the most thrilling talents in women’s football. The 2025 success also follows the team’s historic win at Euro 2022, when they claimed the trophy on home soil.
This year, they reinstated their strength once more by conquering Europe away from home, defeating world champions Spain in a closely contested final that showcased the tactical brilliance of Wiegman as well as the composure of her players.
Burna Boy has previously showcased his electrifying presence in the football world, being the first Nigerian artist to take the stage at the UEFA Champions League final, held in Istanbul in 2023. His performances of “Last Last” and “It’s Plenty” at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium impressed millions of football and music enthusiasts around the globe, securing his status as an international representative of African music.
