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“For me, you never really get over that feeling of playing at a major tournament,” Fran Kirby on never taking the biggest stage for granted
Retirement Announcement
Fran Kirby announced her international retirement on Tuesday after she was told she would not be a part of the Lionesses team for the Euros this summer. Despite her initial plans to retire post-tournament, the decision was precipitated by her non-selection.
Impressive Career and Challenges
The 31-year-old forward, who made her England debut back in 2014, has had a storied career including a significant win at the Euros in 2022. Kirby’s final cap came last Friday in a match against Portugal at Wembley.
Kirby had battled through injuries to participate in recent England camps, although a knee issue kept her out of the 2023 World Cup.
The Joy of the Big Stage
Despite the setbacks, Kirby expressed her enduring passion for football and the unique thrill of playing in major tournaments. “It is probably the main reason why you play football, why you grew up loving football,” she said. “It’s the moments of being able to play in a major tournament and I am really lucky as I have played in a few now.”
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