Kirby announces England retirement before Euros

Fran Kirby, an England attacking midfielder, has announced her immediate retirement from international football ahead of the European Championships.

Kirby claims in an exclusive interview with BBC Sport that she is leaving the “head held high” world of the world.

The Brighton player has played a significant role for England for more than ten years, scoring 19 goals in 77 games for the Lionesses.

Kirby was informed that she would not be selected for the Euros starting on July 2 but was included in Sarina Wiegman’s squad for the Uefa Nations League games against Portugal and Spain.

Kirby stated in her first interview that she had been considering it for more than a year that she had made the announcement of her retirement. This would be my final major tournament, I was anticipating.

After the Euros, Sarina informed me that the plan was to retire, but I’m not going to.

It simultaneously gave me a weight off my shoulders and a dagger to my heart. We both experienced emotional distress, but we both respected the words of each other.

Wiegman described Kirby as “an amazing player and an incredible person” and said she “loved” working with her after England lost to Spain 2-1.

Wiegman continued, “She made the squad without a doubt.” She has always been up for helping others, giving me orders, and giving me requests to play or perform.

Before England attempted to defend their Euros title, goalkeeper Mary Earps also retired from international football just days prior to the announcement.

After being defeated by Spain in Barcelona on Tuesday, Kirby, 31, is alleged to have informed her England team-mates about the decision.

In the 6-0 win over Portugal, she made her debut for England as a substitute. She was not selected for Spain’s matchday squad.

One of the country’s most recognizable female players is the former Chelsea player, who twice won the PFA Women’s Footballer of the Year.

Kirby is best remembered for her role in England’s historic Euro 2022 victory, which included seven Women’s Super League (WSL) titles and five Women’s FA Cup victories.

She scored twice in Wiegman’s side’s victory over Germany at Wembley, which gave England the lead in all six of their matches.

I didn’t feel any regret when I woke up in the morning after telling Sarina, “added Kirby.” I was confident that I had chosen the best course of action at that time.

It won’t shock me that this team was coming to an end because I’ve been with it for a long time.

Kirby, who started her career at Reading, led Brighton to a fifth-place finish in the WSL with seven goals in 17 games this year.

She said, “I’ve put everything in this and feel like I had a good year.”

Unfortunately, I’ve worked hard to make the Euros squad, but that’s not enough.

Kirby has endured injury-related illness and illness throughout her career, having struggled with fatigue ahead of Euro 2022, and missing the 2023 World Cup due to a knee injury that required surgery.

She said, “Everyone knows the injuries I’ve sustained, and I’ve been keeping my body safe.”

It’s time to wrap up that chapter of my life, which I have been a part of since I was 21. I never wanted this day to occur, but I can’t tell you how happy I am that it did.

Being able to represent my country, which I had only dreamed about as a young girl, has been my greatest honor.

I’ve worked with some incredible managers, played in some incredible tournaments, and have uncannible memories.

My journey has had many ups and downs, failures, and successes. Despite what has been said and written about, I want you to know that I always put on the England badge.

I accepted my role and did what the team needed on every call. I desired a victory for England. I’ve always aided England in their victory.

I’m so happy that I was able to represent my country in front of you all, as my mother had a dream.

When my name is read out in a stadium, I will never, ever forget the noise. When I won the game-changing World Cup in 2015, which gave me the first choice, I participated in the WSL 2 tournament, and I did so to make memories last a lifetime.

One of the best experiences I could have ever had was watching women’s football and winning the Euros in 2022, where I started every game, was a dream come true.

Thank you all for welcoming me as a young Reading resident with a dream. I’m sure you all know that having that badge was the most prestigious honor.