Jen Beattie: Recounting the legacy of a WSL and Scotland legend | OneFootball

Scotland and Women’s Super League legend Jen Beattie announced her retirement from professional football this year. Her decision came two years after she retired from international duty.

Known for her composure and skill on the pitch, as well as her courage and advocacy off it, Beattie’s influence extends far beyond the game. We take a look at her storied career on and off the pitch.

Been there, done that? Jen Beattie has

Jen Beattie is one of the instantly recognisable names in football. She is universally respected in both international and club football. The stalwart defender played for Scotland’s senior team from 2008 through to 2022, making 143 appearances for the side.

In addition to her strong defending, she tallied 24 goals for her country over her career. Beattie was also a starter in Scotland’s historic 2019 World Cup campaign, and scored in their 3-3 draw with Argentina.

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At club level, Beattie is best known for her two stints at Arsenal — anchoring the Gunners’ backline in 166 appearances. She won four WSL titles and two FA Cups with the North London club.

Over her 18-year club career, Beattie played for six other teams. She began with SWPL side Queen’s Park, before joining league rivals Celtic. After her first spell at Arsenal, she moved to French club Montpellier in the Division 1 Féminine. Beattie then returned to the WSL with Manchester City, where she won the league title in 2016.

During her time with Man City, Beattie briefly went out on loan to Melbourne City in the A-League. She later made a celebrated return to Arsenal, cementing her legacy with the Gunners. Beattie concluded her illustrious career in 2024 with NWSL side Bay FC.

A footballer’s journey of strength and service

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Beattie’s legacy extends far beyond her impressive footballing career. The strength and resilience she displayed during her breast cancer battle in 2020 inspired countless individuals. Her amazing work with the medical community and other cancer patients was a major factor in her receiving the Helen Rollason Award in 2021.

In 2023, Beattie earned an MBE for her continued work with charity organisations and football associations. She then received the Lauren Holiday Impact Award in late 2024, becoming the Overall Winner for her extraordinary contributions to the breast cancer community in the UK and the US. This honour recognises her unwavering dedication to charity and her embodiment of community spirit.

Additionally, Beattie has long been an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community — a group that has very strong ties with women’s football. She has used her platform to help people in the community feel more comfortable and safer about being true to who they are. Her advocacy has had a tremendous effect on the community, which appreciates her staunch support.

What’s next for Jen Beattie?

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As any who enters an endeavour hopes to, Jen Beattie has left football a far better place than she found it. And fortunately for us, she will remain within the game. Beattie has done some broadcasting for both the BBC and Sky Sports and is keen to continue.

Her continued practice has paid off, as she showed her skill co-commenting the Champions League final. Her excellent technical analysis and commentary on the masterful substitutions Renée Slegers made were spot on. Beattie recognised that bringing on Beth Mead and Stina Blackstenius late could be the spark that Arsenal needed, and obviously they were.

It was heartwarming to hear the emotion the former Arsenal defender had when her side lifted the trophy. From Beattie’s commentary for the BBC at the match: “I’m lost for words. I’m going to try and hold it together. Seeing these images, Arsenal being etched on that trophy, it’s unbelievable knowing the work rate and the kind of people they have behind the scenes doing absolutely everything to get these players in the best possible position going into tonight’s game. Arsenal were underdogs and we knew they had to play the perfect 90 minutes coming into this game.”

Once a Gooner, always a Gooner.

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Beattie currently co-hosts the BBC’s Radio 5 podcast Women’s Football Weekly alongside England legend Ellen White and Ben Haines. Her experience over her wonderful career makes her a natural to discuss the beautiful game. We will all look forward to her wisdom and fondly remember her amazing time on the pitch, as well as her influence off it.

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