England striker Rachel Daly, who gained 84 caps and was part of the England squad that won the European championships in 2022, has announced her retirement from international football. Last October, she was named the 10th best player in women’s football at the Ballon D’Or awards, and she will continue to play football at club level with Aston Villa, who sit seventh in the Women’s Super League table. Daly mentioned the need to “pass on that baton to the next generation” as a reason for her retirement from international play.

In a statement on social media, Daly expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to play for and represent England and shared that she has made special friendships and memories during her time with the national team. She also highlighted the privilege of representing her family, teammates, and the entire country while pursuing success and winning football matches. Daly’s international career began at the under-15s stage, and she made her senior squad debut under new manager Mark Sampson.

She played a key role in England’s success, including the 2019 SheBelieves Cup title and the Euro 2022 triumph, where she operated as a left-back due to the consistent performance of striker Ellen White in the No 9 spot. Despite her proficiency at the club level, Daly has faced challenges in maintaining a regular spot in the England starting XI since the Women’s World Cup. She is excited to continue working hard at club level and spend quality time with her loved ones.

Daly will be remembered for making history with the Lionesses and is looking forward to supporting the next generation of players from the stands.