Walker retires from England duty with immediate effect

Football

The Manchester City defender has ended his international career after making 91 appearances for the England men's national team.

Kyle Walker has retired from international football with immediate effect, per Sky Sports. The 35-year-old defender earned 91 caps for England since making his debut in 2011. Walker represented his country at six major tournaments, including three European Championships and three World Cups. He started the 2024 European Championship final against Spain, which marked his final appearance for the national side.

Lee Carsley, the interim head coach, praised the full-back for his longevity and professionalism, according to The Guardian. The defender intends to focus on his domestic career at Manchester City. Walker was a key component of the squads that reached the final of the last two European Championships. He also helped England reach the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

England coaching staff were informed of the decision on Tuesday morning. The Football Association thanked the defender for his contribution to the national team over the last 15 years. Walker is the fourth-most capped right-back in England history, per Reuters.

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