Fran Kirby has announced her retirement from international football – only two days before the Lionesses’ Euro 2025 squad will be confirmed on Thursday.
The 31-year-old Brighton midfielder was omitted from Sarina Wiegman’s matchday squad for Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat in Spain, and told her team-mates she was retiring with immediate effect after the game.
Wiegman told her she was unlikely to make the Euro 2025 squad unless one of her team-mates got injured before Thursday’s deadline – which Kirby said made her realise she had “outstayed her welcome” on the international stage.
She ends her Lionesses career with 77 caps and 19 goals, having represented England at four major tournaments including every match of the victorious Euro 2022 campaign.
Speaking to ESPN, Kirby said: “When I had the conversation with Sarina and she laid her plans out for the Euros and she told me I wasn’t going unless someone got injured, I knew it was the moment where I’d outstayed my welcome.
“I don’t want to take the opportunity away from someone who can learn [and which can] then set them up for the future.
“I’m not embarrassed by this at all. I gave absolutely everything at the beginning of the year, I’ve given everything my whole career and I’m okay with Sarina’s decision because at the end of the day – it just wasn’t enough. I’m okay with that as I know I gave absolutely everything.”
Kirby also posted on social media, writing that it had been the “biggest honour to represent my country, one that I had only dreamt about as a young girl.”
She added: “My journey has been full of ups and downs, setbacks and achievements. Enough has been said and written about those, but regardless of whatever was thrown at me, I want you all to know that every time I put on that England badge I gave 100 per cent.
“My mum had a dream of me representing my country and I’m so proud I was able to do that and play in front of you all. I will never, ever forget the noise when my name is read out at a stadium.
“Starting in every game and winning the Euros in 2022 was a dream come true, to be a part of change in women’s football was one of the best experiences I could have ever imagined.
“Thank you to you all, for embracing me as a young girl from Reading who had a dream. I hope you all know, wearing that badge was the greatest honour. To every young girl that suffers setbacks, just remember you can. You can.”
Wiegman: Kirby is an inspiration
Kirby’s news came minutes ahead of Wiegman’s post-match press conference following England’s loss in Spain, and the England manager was pressed for her thoughts on her retirement.
The midfielder started 14 of Wiegman’s first 20 games in charge but, amid a long-running string of issues, has made only five starts since – and none since December 2023.
“She’s been unlucky with injuries,” Wiegman said. “For the World Cup and during camps, she always fought back and had some opportunities to play.
“I had a conversation with her over this week again, going forward to this game, and that’s it. She most likely was not going to make the squad, things can change very quickly but we had these conversations.
“She’s an incredible footballer, her touch, positioning, her vision and game understanding, connections – as a person too, what she had in front of her and coming back every time, she’s an inspiration for a lot of people.”
England confirmed that tributes will be paid to Kirby’s international career at a Lionesses match after the summer.
