Kyle Walker has announced his retirement from international football with 96 England caps.
Walker played for England at five major tournaments, including the final at Euro 2021 and 2024, and the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup. But he will no longer be considered for this summer’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Walker, aged 35, earned his final international cap last summer against Senegal.
“I am sad to be making this decision, but I’m also very proud of what I’ve achieved with England,” Walker said.
“To represent my country at five major tournaments, to get to the finals that we’ve reached and to be surrounded by this England team, especially the players and the managers that I’ve had the privilege of working under, has been a great honour.
“But today is the time that comes to an end. It’s good for me to have a little bit of closure to my career on the international stage.
“I would just like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to the managers that I’ve worked under, from Fabio Capello, to Roy Hodgson, to Lee Carsley, to Gareth Southgate and to Thomas, for making a dream become reality.
“Thank you to all of my team mates, past and present, and I wish everyone all the best.
“And to the fans, thank you for the support over the years. Keep supporting the lads, they need you guys, they need you behind them to make sure that they can do this country proud.
“We’re all going to be behind them and hopefully I can now be a fan watching them go and achieve something big at this World Cup.
“And last but certainly not least, thank you to my family.
“Thank you for putting up with all of the summers being away, and for all the times that I’ve obviously gone and followed my dream in representing my country.
“The book is now closed and it’s been a whirlwind of a journey, but one that I’ve really, really enjoyed.”
England manager Thomas Tuchel said: “I know all England fans will join me in congratulating Kyle on an incredible international career.
“Although I only worked with him for a short period of time, I was always aware that he was one of England’s greats who fully embraced the highest honour of representing his country.
“An international career spanning 14 years and five major tournament is testament to Kyle’s dedication. He can look back on his time with the Three Lions with great pride.”
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Walker added: “To represent your country once, let alone 96 times, I’m extremely proud of that.
“To then go to the tournaments that I’ve been to and experience what I have for both myself and my teammates, and also to see the thousands, if not millions, of people enjoying the same experience, it’s a great honour.
“To be among the first team to represent England in a major final since 1966, I’m really proud to say that I was a part of that.
“You always look back at the highs and the lows, and certainly Iceland was a low.
“But when we started this journey, especially with Gareth, we wanted to make sure that we were recognised as one of the best nations in the world.
“I think we’re definitely on the path to doing that, and I still say we because I’ve been a part of that.
“We’ve tried to change the way that people look at English football, we’ve tried to change the way that the media looks at football and we’ve tried to take a little bit of the pressure off that you feel playing for England.
“Of course, I think there should be some pressure playing for your country, but we should all carry that because we’re the chosen ones who are lucky enough to pull on that shirt and represent our country.
“Hopefully, my team mates can also say that I’ve been a part of helping them develop as players and to represent the country and what it means.
“But in football, you experience ups and downs, highs and lows and ultimately, the curtain does draw at the end.”
Walker made his full England debut under Fabio Capello in 2009 against Spain at Wembley, replacing Scott Parker who is now his club manager at Burnley. A few days later he was player of the match in his first start against Sweden.
At club level, Walker has represented Sheffield United, Northampton Town, Tottenham Hotspur, Queens Park Rangers, Aston Villa, Manchester City, AC Milan and Burnley.
