Aston Villa’s Rachel Daly has announced her retirement from international football. The 32-year-old forward earned 84 caps and scored 16 goals for England during her eight years as a Lioness. Daly was part of the England squad that won the Euros in 2022 and reached the 2023 World Cup final. She announced her decision after holding talks with England boss Sarina Wiegman during the international break. Daly told her teammates that she was retiring after the Lionesses’ 2-0 win against the Republic of Ireland, where she came on as a late substitute.
In a statement, Daly said that while it was a difficult decision, she felt the time was right to pass on the baton to the next generation. She expressed her immense gratitude for playing for and representing England, calling it a privilege. Daly also thanked her family, teammates, and the entire country for their support. She shared that winning the Euros and reaching the World Cup final changed a lot for her, not only as a footballer but also as a person. Daly said she made special friendships that will last a lifetime.
England coach Sarina Wiegman paid tribute to Daly on Instagram, calling her an incredible part of their story and the history they’ve made together. Wiegman said it was a privilege to work with Daly, who she called versatile, passionate, and always bringing energy to the team. Wiegman added that Daly would be missed not just by her but also by the other staff members, players, and fans.
Daly expressed her excitement to keep working hard at club level to reach new heights and spend some much-needed quality time with her loved ones. She said she’ll be England’s number one fan from the stands and wished the team all the best for the future.
