English Aston Villa forward Rachel Daly announced today that she would retire from International duty. The 32 year old striker had represented England 84 times and experienced her last ever international obligation after being apart of England's 2-0 winning side against Ireland in the latest international break. This news comes as a shock to many, considering that last season she won the golden boot in the WSL for most goals and shows no signs of slowing down on this form.
Daly played a massive part in England's EUROS win as she played every match in the tournament. Although she started these games as fullback, which differs from her usual position as a number nine striker at Aston Villa, she was immense and has been praised by many around her for how talented she is. English manager Sarina Wiegman called Daly a 'versatile' player who always has the best 'energy' and a 'smile on her face'. Daly's fellow teammates, Captain Leah Williamson and Barcelona star Lucy Bronze, flocked to her comments in praise saying 'words will not do justice' and how she 'deserved every single minute of wearing that England shirt'. Further cementing her as a top professional and a joy to play with during her time as an active England International.
Rachel Daly made her debut for England against Serbia back in 2016, in which she scored her first of 16 for her country. She has always been an important player but her impact on England as a nation as one of the leading players in the Euros winning Lioness side has been unprecedented. She has encouraged young and older people alike, to take up football as she and her teammates put out a rallying call to the British government to invest in the sport more so diversity can grow. Since then there has been a dramatic interest in women's football at both the highest level and grassroots, seeing more women and girls take part in the sport and attendance records being broken around the UK. Most recently, England women's match against Ireland surpassed both Arsenal & Manchester City's champions league games against fellow European giants Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
Rachel Daly will be remembered as an England legend, someone who played every game for England in a major tournament and brought a trophy back to English soil for the first time since 1966. Her legacy is not only going to two major finals and winning one but its also inspiring a nation to believe once again.
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