Everton star in fairy tale Women’s Super League comeback as midfielder is surprised with on-pitch proposal
Everton Women star Rikke Madsen won’t forget her team’s 3-0 win over Crystal Palace any time soon. Goals from Justine Vanhaevermaet, Sara Holmgaard and Kelly Gago secured an important three points in the Women’s Super League for the hosts at Walton Hall Park. Madsen and her partner melted hearts following an on-pitch proposalGetty But it was what happened after the contest that has stolen the headlines. Following the full-time whistle, Madsen was greeted by her partner Martin Thomsen and their baby daughter Fritsen, who sported an adorable Everton shirt with ‘Mom’ on the back. Madsen then passed Fritsen to a teammate before Thomsen got his knee dirty to propose to the Denmark international. Her Everton teammates were evidently overjoyed, with many placing their hands over their mouths in a mixture of shock and excitement for the happy couple. Aside from the proposal, it was a landmark occasion for Madsen as she made her first appearance for Everton since giving birth. Madsen came on in the 83rd minute for Honoka Hayashi. Speaking to the BBC, Madsen conceded she had ‘no idea’ about Thomsen’s plan, but was equally delighted to finally be playing again. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for so long now, a year,” Madsen said. “Ever since becoming pregnant, I’ve been aiming to get back as quick as possible. “Today my little baby is turning five months so it is so nice to be back. The Danish international made her first appearance since October 2024Getty View Tweet: https://t.co/HTjgfBA3Xk “Ending off with my boyfriend asking me to marry him, that was a little twist – I did not expect that. “I had no idea I was going to come on and I had especially no idea he was going to propose to me. “The first thing I said to the other girls was that I hate surprises, but this one was alright.” Everton’s win over Crystal Palace was their fifth of the season. It also lifted the Toffees above Tottenham and up to seventh in the WSL table. As for Crystal Palace, they remain rooted to the bottom in 12th on nine points.
Everton Women star Rikke Madsen won’t forget her team’s 3-0 win over Crystal Palace any time soon.
Goals from Justine Vanhaevermaet, Sara Holmgaard and Kelly Gago secured an important three points in the Women’s Super League for the hosts at Walton Hall Park.
But it was what happened after the contest that has stolen the headlines.
Following the full-time whistle, Madsen was greeted by her partner Martin Thomsen and their baby daughter Fritsen, who sported an adorable Everton shirt with ‘Mom’ on the back.
Madsen then passed Fritsen to a teammate before Thomsen got his knee dirty to propose to the Denmark international.
Her Everton teammates were evidently overjoyed, with many placing their hands over their mouths in a mixture of shock and excitement for the happy couple.
Aside from the proposal, it was a landmark occasion for Madsen as she made her first appearance for Everton since giving birth.
Madsen came on in the 83rd minute for Honoka Hayashi.
Speaking to the BBC, Madsen conceded she had ‘no idea’ about Thomsen’s plan, but was equally delighted to finally be playing again.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment for so long now, a year,” Madsen said.
“Ever since becoming pregnant, I’ve been aiming to get back as quick as possible.
“Today my little baby is turning five months so it is so nice to be back.
“Ending off with my boyfriend asking me to marry him, that was a little twist – I did not expect that.
“I had no idea I was going to come on and I had especially no idea he was going to propose to me.
“The first thing I said to the other girls was that I hate surprises, but this one was alright.”
Everton’s win over Crystal Palace was their fifth of the season.
It also lifted the Toffees above Tottenham and up to seventh in the WSL table.
As for Crystal Palace, they remain rooted to the bottom in 12th on nine points.
