London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Tuesday, Aug 26, 2025

England's second-most capped player Scott retires

Manchester City and England midfielder Jill Scott has announced her retirement from football.

The 35-year-old played in 10 major tournaments, including two Olympics with Great Britain, and helped England win Euro 2022.

Scott made her England debut in 2006 and is second on their all-time list of most capped players with 161.

She began her career with hometown club Sunderland and played for Everton before joining City in November 2013.

"I'm so in love with the game," Scott said in a video for The Players' Tribune

. "I have been ever since kicking a ball at the age of five. I'll forever be in love with the game."

She added: "If I could say one thing to football, it would be just a massive thank you. It's been the biggest part of my life."

England and Manchester City team-mate Ellen White, 33, also announced her retirement this week, with coach Sarina Wiegman set to name her squad for England's final 2023 World Cup qualifiers on Wednesday.

Scott headed in an extra-time winner against the Netherlands to send England into the Euro 2009 final against Germany, where they lost 6-2.

She then came off the bench and played an integral part as the Lionesses avenged that defeat at Wembley this summer to win their first major trophy, with Scott used as a substitute in four of England's six games.

The midfielder scored a memorable long-range goal as England were knocked out of the 2011 World Cup quarter-finals by France, helped the Lionesses win a bronze medal at the 2015 World Cup and was named among the 10 players who 'dared to shine' at the 2019 World Cup, where England finished fourth.

She was named captain as she won her 150th cap last year, in a 6-0 friendly win over Northern Ireland, and ends her career with a total of 27 goals from 161 games for England, plus one from nine for GB.

In 2019, the midfielder said it felt "really surreal" to be made an MBE on the New Year Honours list for her contribution to the sport.


After spending part of last season on loan at Aston Villa, Scott confirmed in May that she would be leaving Manchester City when her contract ended in June.

She won one Women's Super League title, three FA Cup and three League Cup winners' medals with City, and also won the FA Cup once during seven years at Everton.

Scott has been invited to return to City's Academy Stadium for a game this season to be officially honoured and celebrated for her services to the club, for whom she made more than 150 appearances.


'Trailblazer', 'legend' and a 'friend for life' - tributes to Scott


Scott's Manchester City and England team-mate Alex Greenwood tweeted that the midfielder was "a true legend".

"Unbelievable team-mate & a friend for life," defender Greenwood wrote. "Thank you for everything you have given to the game, a true legend!! Happy Retirement Champ."

Former club Everton said Scott was a "Trailblazer. Club legend. European Champion", while ex-Toffees goalkeeper Neville Southall called her an "outstanding person."

England cricket captain Heather Knight congratulated Scott on her "unbelievable career" and added that the fans would miss her.

Sunderland, where Scott started on the path to football success, wrote: "Mackem, European Champion, Legend. The best of us."


'Scott always well-loved within the game'

Analysis

BBC Sport's Emma Sanders:

Scott has always been well-loved within the game for her fun and playful character but her ability as a footballer has never been in doubt.

Her experiences with England, numerous major tournaments, individual records and lists of domestic achievements paint a good picture of her success.

When looking back at some of the most pivotal moments in English women's football, Scott was usually at the centre of it as one of the country's most high-profile stars.

She was a care-free person off the pitch and on it she displayed unnerving composure and a relentless desire to work hard.

Her tall figure was easily recognisable and her ability to maintain balance and skilfully keep possession was hugely impressive for someone of her height (5ft 11in).

Scott joins fellow history-maker White, who also announced her retirement yesterday, as legends of English football and many will hope her presence in the game continues.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Vietnam Evacuates Hundreds of Thousands as Typhoon Kajiki Strikes; China’s Sanya Shuts Down
UK Government Delays Decision on China’s Proposed London Embassy Amid Concerns Over Redacted Plans
A 150-Year Tradition to Be Abolished? Uproar Over the Popular Central Park Attraction
A new faith called Robotheism claims artificial intelligence isn’t just smart but actually God itself
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner Purchases Third Property Amid Housing Tax Reforms Debate
HSBC Switzerland Ends Relationships with Over 1,000 Clients from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Qatar, and Egypt
Sharia Law Made Legally Binding in Austria Despite Warnings Over 'Incompatible' Values
Italian Facebook Group Sharing Intimate Images Without Consent Shut Down Amid Police Investigation
Dutch Foreign Minister Resigns Amid Deadlock Over Israel Sanctions
Trump and Allies Send Messages of Support to Ukraine on Independence Day Amid Ongoing Conflict
China Reels as Telegram Chat Group Shares Hidden-Camera Footage of Women and Children
Sam Nicoresti becomes first transgender comedian to win Edinburgh Comedy Award
Builders uncover historic human remains in Lancashire house renovation
Australia Wants to Tax Your Empty Bedrooms
MotoGP Cameraman Narrowly Avoids Pedro Acosta Crash at Hungarian Grand Prix
FBI Investigates John Bolton Over Classified Documents in High-Profile Raids
Report reveals OpenAI pitched national ChatGPT Plus subscription to UK ministers
Labour set to freeze income tax thresholds in long-term 'stealth' tax raid
Coca‑Cola explores sale of Costa coffee chain
Trial hears dog walker was chased and fatally stabbed by trio
Restaurateur resigns from government hospitality council over tax criticism
Spanish City funfair shut after serious ride injury
Suspected arson at Ilford restaurant leaves three in critical condition
Tottenham beat Manchester City to go top of Premier League
Bank holiday heatwave to hit 30°C before remnants of Hurricane Erin arrive
UK to deploy immigration advisers to West Africa to block fake visas
Nurse who raped woman continued working for a year despite police alert
Drought forces closures of England’s canal routes, canceling boat holidays
Sweet tooth scents: food-inspired perfumes surge as weight-loss drugs suppress appetites
Experts warn Britain dangerously reliant on imported food
Family of Notting Hill Carnival murder victim call event unmanageable
Bunkers, Billions and Apocalypse: The Secret Compounds of Zuckerberg and the Tech Giants
Ukraine Declares De Facto War on Hungary and Slovakia with Terror Drone Strikes on Their Gas Lifeline
Animated K-pop Musical ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Becomes Netflix’s Most-Watched Original Animated Film
New York Appeals Court Voids Nearly $500 Million Civil Fraud Penalty Against Trump While Upholding Fraud Liability
Elon Musk tweeted, “Europe is dying”
Far-Right Activist Convicted of Incitement Changes Gender and Demands: "Send Me to a Women’s Prison" | The Storm in Germany
Hungary Criticizes Ukraine: "Violating Our Sovereignty"
Will this be the first country to return to negative interest rates?
Child-free hotels spark controversy
North Korea is where this 95-year-old wants to die. South Korea won’t let him go. Is this our ally or a human rights enemy?
Hong Kong Launches Regulatory Regime and Trials for HKD-Backed Stablecoins
China rehearses September 3 Victory Day parade as imagery points to ‘loyal wingman’ FH-97 family presence
Trump Called Viktor Orbán: "Why Are You Using the Veto"
Horror in the Skies: Plane Engine Exploded, Passengers Sent Farewell Messages
MSNBC Rebrands as MS NOW Amid Comcast’s Cable Spin-Off
AI in Policing: Draft One Helps Speed Up Reports but Raises Legal and Ethical Concerns
Shame in Norway: Crown Princess’s Son Accused of Four Rapes
Apple Begins Simultaneous iPhone 17 Production in India and China
A Robot to Give Birth: The Chinese Announcement That Shakes the World
×