Unlike Earps, whose departure was a shock, Kirby’s choice had felt more inevitable. Manager Sarina Wiegman had told her that she would not be in the Euro 2025 squad so the decision was easier to step down. Kirby, who won 77 caps and was instrumental in England’s Euro 2022 success, opted to retire from international duty on her own terms.

Wars with Injuries and Reversals
Despite the successes, Kirby’s time with the national team was a series of highs and a lot of personal lows. Her talent was never in question, but her career was frequently derailed by injuries and serious health problems. Knee and ankle issues limited her in 2017 and pericarditis — a potentially career-ending diagnosis — was the forecast for the young Lithuanian in 2019.

She was sidelined for Euro 2022 preparations because of fatigue and missed the 2023 World Cup because she had to undergo knee surgery. Whilst she made a cameo return during England’s matches against Belgium in April, she couldn’t be included in the first game, and niggles raised their ugly head more often after that.

Conversations with Wiegman last month shed light on her role, and when it was apparent she wouldn’t be over in Switzerland for Euro 2025, Kirby chose to retire. Wiegman described her as a wonderful player and fantastic team-mate, who had given everything during her time with the squad.

An Unrepeatable Talent Known as ‘Mini Messi’
It was Kirby’s footballing quality that made her a figurehead in England’s women’s game. Drafted into the senior team in 2014 when she was still playing in WSL 2, she emerged during the 2015 World Cup and soon acquired the nickname “mini Messi” because of her creativity, her vision and her playmaking.

She was a key figure in England’s Euro 2022 success, starting all six games and complementing the emergence of young talent. The colourful and unpredictable personality received praise from former coaches and some teammates. One former coach even stated that he’d pick Kirby for the No.10 role ahead of Brazil’s six-time world player of the year, Marta.

Lucy Bronze said that Kirby was a player others dreamed of playing with. While she had spent recent years on the fringes of the squad, she had always been prepared to perform when called on.

Resilience On and Off the Playing Field
Kirby’s impact was felt beyond his work on the football field. She has gonw through trying times and that has moulded her as a person and a cricketer as well. Anxiety over losing her mother at 14 forced her to temporarily quit football. Later she went public with her grief and struggles, helping increase understanding about mental health.

In 2019 she was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Winchester in recognition of her work in mental health. She has also spoken over the years about issues surrounding body image in the sport and the impact of abuse on social media.

And even after leaving Chelsea, for whom she played nine years, she joined Brighton and became their Player of the Year in her first season there. This one is no different: her goodbye message included a powerful reminder of her strength: “Just remember, you can.”

Her career, as both a player and a role model, leaves an indelible mark on English football.