What Happened?
England and Brighton midfielder Fran Kirby, 31, has announced her retirement from international football, just weeks before Euro 2025. Kirby, who earned 77 caps and scored 19 goals for England, confirmed that her last appearance came as a substitute during the Lionesses’ 6–0 win over Portugal in the Nations League. She was left out of the squad for the following match against Spain, and after being informed by Sarina Wiegman that she wouldn’t be selected for Euro 2025, Kirby made the decision to step away from the international stage.
Read more: Fran Kirby Retires from England: A Career of Brilliance and Resilience EndsA Career Defined by Highs and Setbacks
Known for her creativity and flair, Kirby played a key role in England’s Euro 2022 victory, starting every match, scoring twice, and providing three assists.
However, her career was also marked by serious health challenges:
- Multiple knee injuries, including the one that ruled her out of the 2023 World Cup after surgery.
- A diagnosis of pericarditis in 2019–20, which sidelined her for months and threatened her career.
Despite these hardships, Kirby often spoke of giving “every time I put on that England badge”.
What She Said
In her emotional announcement, Kirby expressed:
“After being in the England team since the age of 21, it’s time to close that chapter… I never wanted this day to come, but I cannot tell you how proud I am that it happened”.
She thanked fans, teammates, and coaches, noting her career has been a rollercoaster of “setbacks and achievements” .
England Faces a Leadership Gap
Kirby exits just after Mary Earps’ retirement and alongside Millie Bright’s withdrawal, removing over 200 caps of leadership from the Lionesses. Coach Sarina Wiegman faces a crucial task: rebuilding squad depth and mitigating the loss of creative midfield presence.
Why This Matters
- Player Wellbeing Spotlight: Kirby’s retirement underscores the cumulative impact of health issues in elite women’s football.
- Creative Void: England will miss her vision and productivity in midfield.
- Call to Action: Greater emphasis is needed on managing workloads and supporting players enduring physical and emotional strain.
We can still enjoy Kirby’s creativity and flair each week in the WSL, where she now plays for Brighton & Hove Albion.
Sources
https://talksport.com/football/3260310/fran-kirby-retirement-lionesses-euro-2025/
The Injury Times 
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