Photo taken from @swewnt and @lindasembrant on instagram
Across the year, plenty of international stars have hung up their boots for their national teams and put their hearts into their club team or alternatively retired from football altogether.
Millie Bright: England
In October, Chelsea defender Millie Bright announced her retirement from international football after deciding to not be selected for the 2025 European Championship. She won 88 caps and captained them to a silver in the 2023 FIFA World Cup as well as representing Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
The defender made her debut in 2016 and also featured in the EURO 2017, 2019 World Cup and 2022 Euros. She scored on six occasions in an England shirt as well as playing all games in the 2022 and 2023 competitions respectively.
Mary Earps: England
In May (prior to the Euro 2025 tournament), the PSG Goalkeeper decided to retire from the England shirt to allow the younger players an opportunity to shine. Receiving 53 caps across eight years, Earps also won two FIFA Best Awards and a World Cup golden glove along with her triumph in the 2022 Euros on home soil.
The goalkeeper made her debut in 2017 and was a figure in the 2022 Euros and 2023 World Cup campaign in Australia where they came second against Spain but had that iconic penalty save.
Fran Kirby: England
In June, Kirby announced her retirement after her decision was influenced by being told she was not going to be selected for the summer. She also felt it was the right time to leave, giving the opportunity to the younger generation.
The experienced Brighton and Hove Albion forward had 77 appearances to her name as well as 19 goals and was included in four major tournaments. She was included in 2015 and 2019 World Cup as well as 2017 and 2022 UEFA European Championships. She made her international debut in 2014 and also represented Team GB in the Tokyo Olympics.
Magdalena Eriksson: Sweden
After getting 123 caps, she retired from the international side in November. She made her debut in 2014 but her tournament debut came in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio (where she won the silver medal) and represented Sweden in seven consecutive major tournaments.
The Bayern Munich defender scored 14 goals for her country and became a two-time Olympic silver medalist (winning again in Tokyo) as well as earning two third place finishes at the World Cup in 2019 and 2023 respectively.
Jess Fishlock: Wales
After playing her final game against Australia, Fishlock retired from International football in October after the Euro 2025 tournament. After 19 years, she became the all-time leading appearance maker and goalscorer with 166 caps and 48 goals respectively.
The Seattle Reign forward recently signed a new one year contract and was the first player to reach 100 caps. She made her senior debut in 2006 and was in the squad when Wales made their major tournament debut in the summer.
Niamh Fahey: Ireland
Following a 17 year long career, Fahey retired from International Football in January and in May announced her full retirement from football. The ex-Liverpool defensive player rose through the ranks and made 115 appearances for the girls in green.
She made her senior debut in 2007 and scored her only goal in 2022 against Georgia. She made her 100th appearance in February 2022 and featured in all of Ireland’s games in the 2023 FIFA World Cup.
Maren Mjelde: Norway
In August, Mjelde retired after playing in the European Championship the previous summer making 183 appearances for Norway. The 35 year old made her senior debut in 2007 aged just 17 and after 18 years she decided to end her international career.
She featured at nine international tournaments and also held the armband for a decade winning bronze in Euro 2009 and a silver at Euro 2013.
Sherida Spitse: The Netherlands
The Ajax Midfielder announced her international retirement in October and played her final match against Canada. She is the most capped Dutch and European player at 248 appearances, playing across 20 years.
She represented the Netherlands in eight major tournaments including five Euros and three World Cups, making her debut in August 2006. She won the 2017 Euros and captained her side to the World Cup final in 2019.
Kayleigh Barton: Wales
After playing in her first tournament during the summer, the Striker announced her retirement from football in August. She made her international debut for Wales in 2012 and scored 22 goals in the colours as well as making 89 appearances. The Striker played her last league games for Charlton Athletic in Barclays WSL2 before heading to Switzerland for her debut in a tournament.
Linda Sembrant: Sweden
Linda Sembrant announced her retirement in November after reaching 160 appearances for her national team, following the bronze medal match in the Nations League. The AIK Stockholm defender made her debut back in 2008 and has three bronze European Championship medals to her name (2011, 2019 and 2023) as well as a silver medal in the 2016 Olympics.
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