Former Lioness Fran Kirby reveals why she chose to retire from international football | OneFootball

After retiring from international duty ahead of Euro 2025, former Lioness Fran Kirby has told all on why she called time on her England career.

Fran Kirby was one of the first shock departures from England’s squad this summer, as after a eleven-year career the veteran forward decided to call it quits with the Lionesses.

The Brighton player revealed that her decision came after Sarina Wiegman called up to say that the 31-year-old would not be in her Euro 2025 squad this summer.

“It’s always going to be news when players retire from their national team,” Kirby said. “Obviously when you have Mary, who’s been a massive advocate of the women’s game making that announcement, I remember I was in my bedroom and I was like ‘oh no!’

Mary Earps announced her retirement from international football just days before the England squad was announced and as one of the nation’s most popular stars, there was plenty of disappointment from the Lionesses camp.

“It was already a thought in my mind that it [retiring] was going to be a possibility as well. But everyone has the moment that they want to make that announcement and as players, we respect it.

“You always respect when you’ve given so much to the game and so much to your country for such a long time, you only make that decision if you know 100 per cent it’s the right decision to make.”

Kirby made 79 appearances for England through her career, with 19 goals rewarded in 2022 as the striker played a key role in England’s Euros success.

Kirby praises ‘brave’ Millie Bright

Although Mille Bright hasn’t fully retired from international football, the Chelsea defender announced that she wouldn’t be heading to Switzerland this year with knee surgery booked.

While her knee certainly played a part in the decision, Bright also revealed that she wanted to take a break from international football to protect her mental health.

“When someone makes that decision, it’s for a reason,” Kirby said after Bright’s announcement. “Millie’s come out and spoken about her mental health, which I think is really, really brave to make that decision, to put that first. Now she’s had the knee surgery as well to make sure that she’s ready for next year.

“For me, I will just respect everything that they’ve done when they put on an England shirt and the way that they’ve paved the way for the younger players coming through who have learned off those players in that environment.”

Despite three of England’s most experienced players supporting from the sidelines this year, Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses are still confident that they can go far in the Euros. England are 4/1 to win Euro 2025 according to the best UK betting sites.