Rachel Daly, the England forward, announced her retirement from international football.
The 32-year-old, who played a vital role in the Lionesses’ European Championship success and helped the team reach the Women’s World Cup final last year, decided it was time to shift her focus to her club career.
The Aston Villa forward, who was the WSL Golden Boot winner last season, explained her decision in an emotional statement.
Daly reflected on her illustrious career, noting that while she would have loved to play for England indefinitely, the time had come to hang up her boots on the international stage.
She described the day as extremely difficult but also filled with reflection and immense gratitude.
Daly expressed that playing for and representing England had been a privilege.
Throughout her eight years as a Lioness, Daly pursued success and winning football matches with the highest standards of competition, passion, and perseverance.
She emphasized the honor she felt representing her family, teammates, and the entire country.
Daly cherished the incredible memories she made with England, highlighting pivotal moments in her career.
Winning the European Championship and reaching the World Cup final were transformative experiences for Daly, impacting her both as a footballer and as a person.
She felt fortunate to share these achievements with remarkable people and made lifelong friendships during her journey.
Daly expressed eternal gratitude for the opportunity to wear the England badge with immense pride over the past eight years.
She felt fortunate to have played a small part in making history with the Lionesses.
Recognizing it was the right time to pass the baton to the next generation, Daly looked forward to being England’s number one fan from the stands.
Excited about her future at the club level, Daly aimed to reach new heights and spend quality time with her loved ones.
She concluded her statement by thanking everyone who supported her throughout her international career.
