Summary: Manchester City legend Kyle Walker don announce say e don retire from England national team after 14 years and 96 caps. The defender wey be 35 years old don decide to hang boot for international football.
For one news wey go shock many football fans well well, Kyle Walker don announce say e don retire from playing for England national team. The 35-year-old defender wey don serve the Three Lions for 14 years don decide to call it quits, and this one dey come just few months before the 2026 World Cup.
Walker, wey don play 96 matches for England, first wear the national team jersey for 2011 when e play against Spain. That time, the guy been just 21 years old. Since then, e don become one of the most reliable defenders wey England ever get.
E Don See Am All
The Manchester City legend don participate for five major tournaments – Euro 2016, the 2018 World Cup for Russia, Euro 2020, the 2022 World Cup for Qatar, and Euro 2024. E be say this guy don really represent e country well well.
Walker been dey part of the England squad wey reach Euro finals back-to-back. First one, them lose to Italy for Euro 2020, and for Euro 2024, Spain come beat them again. The guy also play important role when England reach semi-finals for the 2018 World Cup under Gareth Southgate.
Even though e be defender, Walker manage to score one goal for England – that one na against Ukraine for 2023. E also captain the national team three times, showing say e be respected figure for the squad.
Why E Decide to Stop Now
Walker last play for England for June 2025, when them surprisingly lose 3-1 to Senegal for friendly match. Since that time, e no feature for the team again.
For e retirement statement, Walker talk say playing for England na the greatest honour of e career. “Playing for England has always been the greatest honour of my career. Every time I pulled on the shirt it meant a huge amount to me and my family,” the defender talk.
E continue say, “After a lot of thought, this feels like the right moment to step away and allow the next generation of players to come through. I leave incredibly proud of the journey and grateful to every manager, teammate and supporter who has been part of it.”
E wife, Annie Kilner, also talk say the defender always carry representing England for mind well well, and say the whole family get many special memories of watching am play for the national team.
Tuchel Pay Tribute
England manager Thomas Tuchel, wey Walker play under before e retire, salute the defender well well. Tuchel talk say Walker play under four different national team managers – Fabio Capello, Roy Hodgson, Gareth Southgate, and himself.
The German coach say Walker fit look back with pride on “incredible international career,” adding say e 14 years with the national team and appearances for five major tournaments show say e really dedicate himself to the Three Lions.
Wetin Dey Next for Walker and England?
At club level, Walker currently dey play for Burnley FC after e successful time with Manchester City, where e win plenty trophies including six Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League.
As for England, the right-back position wey Walker dey occupy before now go dey open for competition. Players like Reece James and Trent Alexander-Arnold go likely dey fight for that position as the team dey prepare for upcoming international competitions.
Walker retirement na end of one era for England football. E service to the national team go forever remain for the hearts of football fans, especially as e dey among the defenders wey help England reach heights wey them no reach for many years.
As the 2026 World Cup dey approach, England go need find new reliable defender wey go fill the big shoes wey Kyle Walker don leave behind. But for now, make we celebrate one legend wey serve e country well.
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