Fran Kirby talks retirement and Sarina Wiegman's emotional response

Former England forward shares more on her decision to retire from international duty

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It’s been three weeks since Fran Kirby announced her shock retirement from international football, and the 31-year-old has the air and energy of someone who is very much content with their decision.

“I'm really excited. I think obviously going through that period of making the announcement — making the decision to do it — there was sadness, but I think now, as the weeks have gone on, it's more excitement about watching the girls and what's going to come next,” said Kirby, speaking at a London event with Viagogo, the ticket resell platform.

On 3 June, minutes after England’s 2-1 defeat to Spain, Kirby posted on social media that she would be stepping away from England duty just before Euro 2025 in Switzerland.

Little did she know that when she broke the news, she would be one of three major withdrawals from the England squad in the space of a few days.