Rachel Daly, the prominent England forward, has officially announced her retirement from international football. At 32 years old, Daly has been a key player for the Lionesses, contributing significantly to their European Championship victory and being a crucial part of the squad that reached the Women’s World Cup final last year.
Despite her success, including winning the WSL Golden Boot last season, Daly has decided to shift her focus entirely to her club career.
In a heartfelt statement, Daly expressed her bittersweet feelings about stepping away from the international stage. “I would love nothing more than to play for England forever, but the time has come for me to hang up my boots on the international stage,” she wrote.
Daly emphasized the mixed emotions she feels—sadness at ending this chapter but also deep gratitude and reflection on her experiences. She described playing for England as a privilege and an honor.
Daly recounted her eight-year journey with the Lionesses, highlighting her relentless pursuit of success, her commitment to high standards, and the passion she brought to every match and training session. “During my eight years as a Lioness, I’ve always pursued success and winning football matches, while playing and training with the highest standards of competition, passion, and perseverance,” she noted.
Reflecting on her career, Daly mentioned the pivotal moments that shaped her both as a footballer and a person. Winning the Euros and reaching the World Cup final were particularly transformative experiences for her.
She expressed immense gratitude for being part of these historic achievements and for the special friendships she made along the way. “Winning the Euros and then reaching the World Cup final changed a lot for me, not only as a footballer but as a person.
I’m so fortunate that I’ve been able to share that with so many remarkable people throughout my journey. I have made special friendships that will last a lifetime,” she stated.
Daly acknowledged the honor and pride she felt wearing the England badge, and she is grateful for the opportunity to have contributed to the team’s success.
She sees her retirement as a chance to pass the baton to the next generation while continuing to support the Lionesses as a devoted fan. “I will be eternally grateful to have been given the opportunity to wear the England badge with immense pride over the past eight years.
I am very fortunate to have played a small part in making history with the Lionesses and I feel now is the right time to pass that baton to the next generation and be England’s number one fan from the stands,” Daly wrote.
Looking forward, Daly is excited to focus on her club career and spend more time with her loved ones. She concluded her statement with a note of gratitude and optimism for the future. “I am excited to keep working hard at club level to reach new highs and spend some much-needed quality time with my loved ones. Thank you,” she expressed.
