It is often said that Rachel Daly is the person with the loudest voice in the Lionesses dressing room, but her announcement stunned her Dublin team-mates into silence. At the age of 32, after an eight-year England career that yielded 84 senior caps and 16 goals, Daly announced his retirement from international football; His last minutes on the bench against the Republic of Ireland were his last for his country. . “I would love nothing more than to play for England forever but it’s time to hang up my shoes on the international stage,” she said.
Daly leaves behind a tremendous contribution to the success of the Lionesses and the growth of women’s football; An example for future generations to strive for. “There are not enough words to do it justice,” said England captain Leah Williamson, who led the tributes from a stunned team. “Rachel has been an incredible part of our story and the history we have created together. It was a privilege to work with him,” added manager Sarina Wiegman. “I have never worked with such a versatile actor.”
After all, Daly was a striker who made history as a European Championship-winning left-back, putting England’s needs above his own. Daly started all six matches as the Lionesses won the Euros and became the cornerstone of the defense in the team that made history at Wembley, along with the likes of Williamson, Lucy Bronze, Millie Bright and Mary Earps. When England needed a left-back, Daly fulfilled his duty of stopping goals, sacrificing his goal-scoring appeal. She did this admirably. He did not abandon his country.
But versatility in football can be a blessing as well as a curse. Wiegman meant his words as a compliment when praising Daly’s versatility, but perhaps they also explain why the Aston Villa striker ended his international career so suddenly and possibly prematurely. Generally speaking, appearing well-rounded means being known for a more comprehensive skill set rather than excelling in one particular area. It is also persistent: versatile players are always the first to move, the first to give way when a problem arises.
It was no secret that Daly wanted the striker; just as it was clear to everyone else that he deserved this opportunity. Daly, who finished as the top scorer in the Women’s Super League the season after lifting the Euro, won the golden boot by scoring 22 goals for Aston Villa and ranking fifth. He went to the World Cup as England’s number 9, competing with Alessia Russo for the top spot, but when Wiegman’s plans were suddenly disrupted by injuries and suspensions, he became England’s wing-back once again.
Daly’s adaptability was an asset, as was his dedication to once again play out of position and take a key role in the switch to 3-5-2, which was a guiding light in England reaching the Sydney final. But there was no reward in the end. As a result of the World Cup, when England lost the final to Spain, Daly found herself behind not only Russo in the rankings but also Lauren Hemp, who Wiegman now saw as an option to play up front.
Wiegman, who was already struggling for place and minutes with Lauren James, Beth Mead, and Chloe Kelly in the most competitive region of the team, could not give Daly the assurance she was looking for when her playing time was discussed. Niamh Charles and Jess Carter have established themselves as left-back options with their performances for Chelsea and England, and if Alex Greenwood also moves from centre-half, Daly will no longer have a defense to fall back on.
As the Football Association moves forward with plans to create a more natural route to the Lionesses by integrating the senior team with the Under-23s, perhaps Daly sees the talent now emerging will add to the competition ahead of next summer’s European Championships. 2025. “I think now is the right time to pass this flag on to the next generation,” he said; Accordingly, this in itself was a selfless decision.
Will England ever produce a player like Daly again? Although she made her UK debut as recently as 2016, Daly’s journey to the Lionesses regular already represents another era. When Daly played for England in the Under-17 World Cup and broke through in the WSL with Lincoln as a teenager, the next step was a move to the university system in America. To further his career, Daly transferred to St John’s University in Queens, New York; this route would see her become a star in the NWSL with the Houston Dash, while her England teammates would move on to Arsenal, Manchester City and the like. Chelsea is closer to home.
The path is different now, with WSL clubs focusing more on their academy structures under the watchful eye of the FA. Perhaps, as the professional game continues to grow and training methods and coaching become more streamlined, there will be fewer players like Daly, whose journey has earned him the distinction of specializing and being diametrically opposed to not just one but two positions. . “She puts her heart and soul into every game, she plays not just for the badge but for every little girl who loves sport,” FA women’s coach Kay Cossington said.
His footballing achievements and legacy with the Lionesses will be recognized in the next round of European qualification but for now his shock retirement leaves a void in the England dressing room. It’s a spirit the Lionesses may find impossible to replace, and a team undoubtedly indebted to Daly’s versatility may find it has taken it for granted all along.