Why time is right for resilient ‘Mini Messi’ Kirby to end England career

What resilience, with serious talent, can accomplish, is exemplified by Fran Kirby’s international career.

Despite suffering numerous setbacks both on and off the pitch, Kirby managed to win 77 caps and a medal for the European championships while playing for England for 11 years.

An hour after England lost to Spain on Tuesday, and just days after goalkeeper Mary Earps did the same, the 31-year-old midfielder made the decision to leave international football.

However, Kirby’s announcement made more sense than Earps’ retirement stunned England supporters, who were initially skeptical about the timing and potential disruption.

Earps had fallen down the pecking order, but he was scheduled to take Hannah Hampton to the top of the group for Euro 2025, which will begin in four weeks, but manager Sarina Wiegman had informed Kirby that she was not going to play.

Kirby’s talent is unquestionable.

She will be remembered as one of the most exceptional women’s players and one of England’s greatest servants.

Kirby would undoubtedly have made a century of international appearances if it hadn’t been for a string of protracted illnesses and injuries.

Knee and ankle issues started in 2017, and two years later, she needed treatment for pericarditis, a fluid-filled sac that was potentially fatal.

In the run-up to Euro 2022, she took a break due to fatigue, and a second knee injury that required surgery made her unable to participate in the 2023 World Cup.

After that, minor issues started to occur more frequently. She was called up to the squad for the double-header against Belgium in April after missing the Nations League games in February, only to have to miss the opening game.

Wiegman made the decision to reject Kirby, who knew that this would be her last chance to compete in a major tournament, and her fitness concerns undoubtedly contributed.

They engaged in “honest conversations” last month, and Kirby made the decision when the reality became clear.

She is both a fantastic player and a fantastic person. She gave it her all, according to Wiegman.

She has always been ready to play and perform, give others a helping hand, and follow my instructions when she was in [camp].

Kirby is a generational talent who has contributed greatly to the national team’s success and the growth of women’s football in England.

She made her debut at the 2014 World Cup, earning the nickname “mini Messi” from former WSL 2 manager Mark Sampson, and was named the first female member of England’s senior squad in 2014.

Since then, Kirby has entertained with trickery, creativity, and unpredictability while playing both as an attacking midfielder and a wide forward.

She started all six games for England in 2022, bringing in new talent as she did with England’s success.

I enjoy working with her. Wiegman praised her for her touch, positioning, vision, game-understanding, and connections.

She has a fantastic career, which continues to be a part of the Women’s Super League. I’m very happy to have worked with her and am very proud of her.

Kirby’s ability to turn a game on its head and create a magical moment was what gave her the nickname “mini Messi.”

When comparing Kirby’s impact to Marta’s, who was six-time World Player of the Year, Phil Neville said after a friendly win over Brazil in 2018 that he would “take my number 10 over Brazil.”

And despite being marginalized by the England squad in recent years, she was always able to provide the required service.

She was given the nickname “I remember ten years ago,” and it was right because she “just lit up the stage in an England shirt,” defender Lucy Bronze said.

Kirby’s contributions to the Lionesses’ first major trophy are legendary, and she was a key member of the team that captured the trophy.

Her success is only enhanced further by her ability to handle personal tragedy and setbacks.

On Tuesday, Wiegman’s glowing pride over Kirby’s career was evident, and Bronze praised the former Chelsea midfielder’s remarkable achievements.

Ellen White, England’s record goalscorer, stated in a podcast interview with the Women’s Football Weekly that “she has had many ups and downs but she can hold her head up really high for what she has achieved.”

She has done a lot for England and football, and I just want to thank her. I can’t wait to remember.

Kirby left football when she was 14 years old after suffering from depression after her mother’s passing.

Just before she helped England reach the World Cup semi-final, she wrote a piece for the Players Tribune about her grief in 2019.

Later that year, the University of Winchester honored her with an honorary degree in recognition of her efforts to raise awareness of mental health.

She recovered for Euro 2022 after experiencing serious illness and doubts about her career.

She made a statement about the effects of social media abuse and body image issues in the female game last year.

She left Chelsea after a nine-year stint with the club to join Brighton, where she won the club’s player of the year award, even after her most recent knee injury.