The 33-year-old defender insisted she is still performing at the “highest level” of football but is aware her performance has peaked so she is trying to be less competitive and just enjoy her achievements.
She told the new issue of Women’s Health magazine: “I’m honest with myself. I’m still at the highest level, but I’m not as good as I was six years ago.
“I was the best player in the world at one point and I can’t quite reach that. I’m trying to learn to take off that ‘competitive Lucy’ hat and be a little bit prouder of the things I have achieved.”
When England lost the World Cup final to Spain two years ago, Lucy was immediately quizzed on whether she planned to retire, a line of questioning she doesn’t think she’d have faced if she was a man.
She said: “I think that’s something that for females is pointed out: your age, your looks, your biological clock. I don’t think it’s the same for men at all. But I quite enjoy the idea of, ‘Oh well, I’ll prove them wrong.’ “
Although Lucy isn’t ready to hang up her boots just yet, she’s considering her professional options for when she does, and she is also hopeful that starting a family is in her future.
She said: “I could get a corporate job. I could try to be part of the Federation or Fifa. I could help someone like Chelsea develop the women’s team.
“I wouldn’t say there’s something I’m dying to do, apart from have a family. My brother’s got two kids and that’s what I’m most jealous of, seeing my niece and nephew. But there’s plenty of time for that – and what that looks like, I don’t know.”