England legend Fran Kirby has announced her international retirement, telling ESPN she has made the decision to step away from the Lionesses to "prolong" her own career.
Kirby, 31, was part of the squad for England's recent Nations League matches and was a second-half substitute against Portugal on May 30 but it was after that match, she sat down with England manager Sarina Wiegman and was told she wasn't going to be in the 23-player squad for the Euros. Wiegman said she wanted Kirby on standby, but Kirby said she knew it was the right moment to step away from international football.
Kirby, who announced her retirement in a post on Instagram, won 77 caps for England and scored 19 goals. She started every match as the Lionesses won the Euros in 2022 and goes down as one of the finest players England have had.
She said she was planning to retire from international duty after the Euros but has brought that forward.
"Once you get to a point in your career, you just know that the timing is right," Kirby told ESPN. "I think obviously it's a decision that I've thought about for a while. There are many factors to be honest. I think mentally being at the age I am at and being here for 11 years, you get to a point, you know, enough is enough. You need to look after yourself and maybe prioritise my body and prolong my career.
"When I had the conversation with Sarina and you know, 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 to then set them up for the future. And I just didn't want to be waiting around every day, of keeping that faint hope going just in case I was going to get a chance. I don't think that would've been fair on my head either.
"I'm not embarrassed by this at all. I gave absolutely everything at the beginning of the year, you know, I've given everything my whole career and I'm OK 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 said she is already looking forward to next season with Brighton in the Women's Super League (WSL) and is at peace with her decision to retire from England duty.
"Everyone is aware of everything that's happened in my career with my body, and the injuries," she said. "I've seen the jokes on social media about how I get injured all the time. I think once you kind of had that for such a long period of time, you know that the time is coming. And yeah, I just didn't want to overstay my welcome.
"I wanted to retire knowing that there's still a little bit more that I could give. I've been here fighting every day and doing all I could to prove I am good enough. I had a good domestic season with Brighton and I can walk out with my head held high knowing that I gave everything and I would hate to leave in any other circumstances.
Kirby said she remembers her England debut against Sweden in 2014 fondly, and how she scored in the match with her dad, Steve, in the crowd. She added that she is proud of having scored in every major tournament she has played in, having featured in the 2015 and 2019 World Cups, Euro 2017 and was also integral to the Lionesses' iconic Euro 2022 success.
"I'm also really proud of being part of the generation where change in women's football has happened," Kirby said. "I've gone from making my debut at Hartlepool to being part of a team that's sold out Wembley. That's a huge highlight.
"I was really sad and emotional that evening when Sarina told me about the Euros. But the following day when I woke up, I knew it was the right decision to retire. I've still been training, enjoying it, but I know it's the right time. I have no regrets, it's been incredible."
Speaking in a post-match news conference after England's 2-1 defeat to Spain in the Nations League on Tuesday, Wiegman described Kirby as an "inspiration."
"First of all, I loved working with her," Wiegman said. "She's had an incredible career which is still going on in the WSL. She's an amazing player, an incredible person. She did everything to make the squad. Always when in, she was ready to play, perform and helping others ... There's a time I guess that you stop, you get used to that, but I am proud of that and grateful to have worked with her.
"Over time of course Fran and I have had several conversations. She has been unlucky with injuries, but she always fought back and still had some opportunities to play. I had conversations with her over this week going forward to this game and I said to her she most likely wasn't going to make the squad. We had these honest conversions. That says so much.
"[She is an] incredible footballer. And I guess her touch, positioning, vision, game understanding, connections [are what stand out]. As a person, what she's had in front of her, coming back every time, has been incredible too. She's an inspiration for a lot of people and an example."
Wiegman will name England's squad for the Euros on Thursday. Kirby's retirement from internationals comes one week after goalkeeper Mary Earps announced she was stepping away from England duty ahead of the tournament.
Kirby's retirement statement in full:
"After being in the England team since I was 21, it's time to close that chapter of my life. I didn't ever want this day to come, but I cannot tell you how proud I am it happened.
"It's been the biggest honour to represent my country, one that I had only dreamt about as a young girl.
"I've played with some incredible players, worked with some incredible managers, played in some amazing tournaments and have irreplaceable memories.
"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 it 100%.
"Every single call-up, I accepted my role and did whatever was needed for the team. I wanted England to win. I've always been there to help England win.
"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. I was first selected when I was playing in WSL 2, I played a part in the game-changing World Cup, winning bronze in 2015, creating memories of a lifetime.
"Starting in every game and winning the Euros in 2022 was a dream come true, to be part of change in women's football was one of the best experiences I could ever have imagined.
"Thank you to all of you for embracing me as a young girl from Reading who had a dream. I hope you all know that wearing that badge was the greatest honour.
"To every young girl that suffers setbacks, just remember you can. You can. Forever a Lioness, Fran."
Information from ESPN's Sam Marsden contributed to this story.