Kirby had a great 11-year England career despite many set-backs on and off the field, accumulating 77 caps and a European championship winners medal over time.
Just days after goalkeeper Mary Earps had announced her retirement from international football, the 31-year-old midfielder declared her intention to do the same an hour after England’s Tuesday defeat against Spain.
Though many questioned the timing and possible disturbance Earps’ retirement would cause, Kirby’s news made more sense even if England supporters were shocked.
Earps had dropped on the pecking order, but at Euro 2025 – which starts in four weeks – she was set to be number two; but, manager Sarina Wiegman had informed Kirby she she would not be making the squad.
That made Kirby’s choice a simple one at last. Her time was running out but she had done everything she could.
She will rank among the most unusual players we have ever seen in the women’s game and among England’s best servants.
Kirby would surely have made a century of international appearances had it not been for a run of protracted ailments and illnessess.
Knee and ankle problems started in 2017; two years later she required treatment for pericarditis, an inflammation of the fluid-filled sac surrounding the heart, which may have ended her career.
She took time off as she battled tiredness in the run-up to Euro 2022; another knee injury, requiring surgery, caused her to miss the World Cup 2023.
After that, little problems were more common. She missed February’s Nations League games, then was called up to the team for the double-headers versus Belgium in April only to have to miss the first game.
Wiegman’s decision not to bring her to Switzerland clearly had fitness issues in mind, and Kirby felt that was her last chance to compete in another big tournament.
Last month they had “honest conversations”; when the truth become plain, Kirby’s choice was taken.
“She is a fantastic person as well as a player. She did all to qualify for the squad,” stated Wiegman.
“She has always, when she was in [camp], been eager to perform and play, supporting others and doing anything I wanted her to do.
“I suppose you cease at one point. She has to adjust to that. She makes me rather proud, and I am glad I could work with her.”
Her experience shone in 2022 as she started all six games for England’s victory, balancing the young potential emerging.
“I enjoy working with her.” Wiegman stated, her touch, posture, vision, game-understanding, connections, all around.
“She is still in the Women’s Super League and has had a remarkable career. She makes me rather proud, and I am glad I could work with her.”
Kirby’s “mini Messi” moniker came from her capacity to turn a game on its head and generate a magical moment.
England’s record goalscorer Ellen White told the Women’s Football Weekly podcast: “She has had lots of ups and downs but she can hold her head really high for what she has achieved.”
“I simply want to thank her for her efforts for football and England. I am filled with amazing recollections.
Following the death of her mother when she was barely 14, Kirby stopped playing football as a kid because of depression.
Weeks before she helped England reach the World Cup semi-final, she discussed her loss in 2019, depth in an essay for the Players Tribune.
Later that year, the University of Winchester awarded her an honorary degree, so acknowledging her work increasing awareness of mental health issues.
After a serious illness, she questioned her career even more, but recovered once more for Euro 2022.
She talked last year about social media abuse’s effects and body image concerns in the women’s game.
She left Chelsea following a nine-year stint to join Brighton and finished the season as the club’s player of the year, even after her most recent knee damage.
“Just remember you can,” Kirby said in announcing her retirement, a fitting farewell reminder of her fortitude.
