Declan Rice was spotted enjoying some family time after England’s frustrating World Cup draw with Ghana – but fans were left with one unexpected question.
The England midfielder was pictured in the stands following Tuesday’s goalless stalemate in Boston alongside his long-term girlfriend, Lauren Fryer, and the couple’s four-year-old son, Jude.
While Rice looked relaxed after the match, eagle-eyed supporters quickly noticed something unusual in the family snaps. Alongside Jude, the Arsenal star was also seen cradling an unidentified baby, while Lauren happily took photographs of the pair together.
The identity of the infant remains unclear, but the sweet scenes quickly attracted attention online, with many simply delighted to see Lauren back in the public eye after a lengthy absence.
Lauren, who has been with Rice since their school days, largely disappeared from public view following a torrent of cruel online abuse in 2024.
The then-25-year-old was subjected to relentless trolling about her appearance after candid holiday photographs of her and Rice were shared online. The backlash became so severe that Lauren removed all photographs from her Instagram account, which has remained blank ever since.
The midfielder was also forced to endure abusive chants aimed at Lauren during a match between Arsenal and Chelsea in 2024, prompting widespread condemnation from supporters.
For almost two years, Lauren was rarely seen publicly, leading many fans to wonder whether she had intentionally stepped away from the spotlight.
That changed last month when she joined Rice and Jude on the pitch as Arsenal celebrated winning the Premier League title. The family appeared in high spirits as they soaked up the atmosphere following the club’s first league triumph in more than two decades.
Tuesday’s appearance marks another rare public outing for Lauren as she continues to support Rice during England’s World Cup campaign.
The family moment came after a frustrating evening for the Three Lions, who were held to a 0-0 draw by a stubborn Ghana side.
There was further concern for England supporters after Rice was seen leaving the stadium with his left calf strapped and a noticeable limp.
The 27-year-old had already admitted he has been managing a lingering issue dating back to the latter stages of Arsenal’s season, although he insisted before the Ghana match that he was ‘good as gold’.
England can still finish top of their group if they beat Panama on Saturday, but manager Thomas Tuchel may face a difficult decision over whether to risk one of his most important players if Rice’s fitness remains in doubt.
Metro has reached out to Declan Rice’s representatives for comment.