Marcus Rashford's girlfriend Lucia Loi fights back tears as she reveals her secret battle with endometriosis

Marcus Rashford's girlfriend Lucia Loi has revealed her secret battle with endometriosis. 

The influencer, 28, shared an emotional post on Instagram on Friday as she lay in bed in tears while struggling with the condition. 

Endometriosis is where cells similar to those in the lining of the womb (uterus) grow in other parts of the body.

Symptoms include severe pain and heavy bleeding during your period, pain during or after sex and when going to the toilet. 

She wrote: 'This was me last night. I had my heels on, my makeup done, and I was ready to go and celebrate my friend's birthday. Endometriosis had other ideas.'

Lucia said she finally had the courage to speak out as she pleaded for further research to be done to help those battling the condition. 

The WAG added: 'I've been meaning to post about this for so long, but I never really found the courage.

'Last night, though, I felt so much anger at the fact that so many women go through this while there are so few effective treatment options and the condition remains so under-researched. Over time I have found some things that have helped to an extent and intend to share more of that.'

Jack Grealish's girlfriend, Sasha Attwood, commented: 'Love you special girl' while others wrote: 'Stay strong' and 'Well done for speaking. I'm sure you will help many women'. 

Lucia has been supporting Marcus in America as England compete in the 2026 World Cup.  

Lucia and Marcus first started dating when they were pupils at Ashton on Mersey school in Greater Manchester at the age of 15.

She has been seen supporting Marcus at football games over the years, including during the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and has been seen in the stands at the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar.

Lucia, who worked as an account executive for Manchester firm Sugar PR, is thought to have graduated in Advertising and Brand Management with first-class honours. 

A LinkedIn page under her name says she attended Manchester University from 2014-2017.

Lucia has 132,000 Instagram followers, and has included shoutouts to brands such as Cosmetic Consult, Alo, Dr Dennis Gross, MooGoo and The Inkey List. 

In 2021, the high school sweethearts briefly split, but in January 2022 confirmed they had reunited. 

Marcus popped the question at a lavish villa in Hollywood after they shared a meal at celebrity seafood restaurant Catch LA while on a romantic trip in May 2022.

He confirmed the news on Instagram, posting an image of the pair embracing as they stood atop a bed of white roses in front of a heart-shaped archway.

'It was extremely romantic. They celebrated afterwards with a group of close friends – including his United teammate Jesse Lingard,' a source told The Sun.

Another source said: 'All involved are thrilled at the recent news of the engagement,' and spoke of Lucia's influence on the Premier League star, who has received plaudits for his charitable work off the field. 

The pair parted ways for a second time in June 2023, as the relationship was said to have run its course. However, last summer they reconciled, with Lucia said to have joined Rashford in Spain while he was on loan to Barcelona FC.