London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, May 31, 2025

Lionesses' record goalscorer White retires

Lionesses' record goalscorer White retires

Manchester City and England striker Ellen White has announced her retirement from football.

The 33-year-old scored a record 52 goals for the Lionesses and helped them win Euro 2022.

White started her career at Chelsea in 2005 and also played for Leeds, Arsenal, Notts County and Birmingham before joining City in 2019.

She made her international debut against Austria in March 2010 and went on to make 113 England appearances.

White, a three-times England women's player of the year, led the line as the Lionesses beat Germany in a dramatic Euro 2022 final at Wembley last month to win their first major women's tournament.

She retires one short of equalling Wayne Rooney's record of 53 goals for England.


"This has been one of the hardest decisions of my life but one that I know is the right decision for me," said White.

"This decision has always been one I have wanted to make on my terms. And this is my time to say goodbye to football and watch the next generation shine.

"It has been my greatest honour and privilege to play this game. Playing for England has and always will be the greatest gift.

"My dreams came true on 31 July, winning the Euros and becoming a European champion."


White enjoyed most of her success at club level with Arsenal, winning two Women's Super League titles as well as two FA Cups and three League Cups. She also won the FA Cup and League Cup in her three years at Manchester City.

White began her goalscoring exploits for England on her debut against Austria 12 years ago and demonstrated her prowess in front of goal on the global stage with a spectacular lob against Japan at the 2011 World Cup in Germany.

She missed most of 2014 with an anterior cruciate ligament injury and in June 2016, the then Notts County striker scored her first international goals in nearly three years when she twice found the net in England's 7-0 win over Serbia in European Championship qualifying.

Seven more goals followed in 2017 and 2018 before a fruitful spell in 2019 when White finished joint-top scorer at the 2019 World Cup having struck six times during England's run to fourth place.

Later that year, White was on target in England's friendly defeat by Germany at Wembley - a game which attracted a record-breaking crowd for a Lionesses home international of 77,768.

In November 2021, White became the Lionesses' record goalscorer, surpassing Kelly Smith's record of 46, as England thumped Latvia 20-0 to record their biggest-ever competitive victory.


'World class' and 'my hero' - tributes to White


England head coach Sarina Wiegman paid tribute to White, calling her a "world-class" operator.

"Ellen has given so much for England and we are all so proud of her," she added.

"I have only had the pleasure of working with her for this past year, but her professionalism, work rate and finishing ability is world class.

"This summer she did an amazing job for the team, she is the perfect team player and helped the younger players to find their way in international football.

"I already knew she was a great player but I found an even better person.

"We will miss her, but I fully understand her decision to take a new direction."

Arsenal forward Beth Mead, who won the golden boot playing alongside White for England at Euro 2022, said the striker was her "hero".

"Words can't describe how proud & lucky I am to have called you a team-mate but also a friend. The biggest professional & goalscorer. The game didn't deserve you but you'll be missed greatly. ellsbells89 my hero," she posted on Twitter.

Fellow Euro 2022 winner Rachel Daly was also quick to praise White's contribution to the game, tweeting: "The absolute best of the best. Thank you, Ellen.

"You truly are (one) of a kind. I'm so excited for your future and so proud of everything you've achieved."

Gary Lineker also tweeted: "A wonderful career and a fabulous goalscorer. Wish ellsbells89 all the very best with what comes next."

Spurs and England captain Harry Kane posted: "Congratulations on an amazing career ellsbells89 and what a way to finish! A real inspiration for the next generation of Lionesses."

Brighton women's manager Hope Powell, who gave White her England debut in 2010, said: "Ellen has had such a wonderful career and I'm proud of the small part I played when I gave Ellen her first England cap back in 2010 when she scored in our win over Austria.

"I have worked with few players as selfless and dedicated as Ellen. Those qualities and many others helped her give so much to the game both at international and domestic level and maintain such high standards."


'The game will miss her greatly'

Ellen White played for England at three Euros and three World Cups, scoring six goals at the 2019 tournament

Analysis


BBC Sport's Emma Sanders:

White will go down in history as one of England's greatest players and she leaves the game at the top following this summer's success at the Euros.

Her goalscoring records for both club and country are nothing short of exceptional, while there are few players in history who can say they have competed in six major tournaments, alongside two Olympic Games.

She will be widely celebrated for her goals but her contribution off the pitch to the growth of women's football cannot be understated.

White has been a senior figure for women's football in this country for many years and became a household name in the 2019 World Cup where she finished joint-top scorer.

She has shown leadership, experience and huge pride in both playing for her country, as well as pushing for better opportunities in the domestic game.

Her iconic 'goggle-eyes' goal celebration has become a familiar image among football fans and her enjoyable post-match dancing at the Euros will be fondly remembered.

White has earned legendary status after a stunning career that has spanned more than two decades. The game will miss her greatly.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
Russia's Fossil Fuel Revenues Approach €900 Billion Since Ukraine Invasion
U.S. Justice Department Reduces American Bar Association's Role in Judicial Nominations
U.S. Department of Energy Unveils 'Doudna' Supercomputer to Advance AI Research
U.S. SEC Dismisses Lawsuit Against Binance Amid Regulatory Shift
Alcohol Industry Faces Increased Scrutiny Amid Health Concerns
Italy Faces Population Decline Amid Youth Emigration
U.S. Goods Imports Plunge Nearly 20% Amid Tariff Disruptions
OpenAI Faces Competition from Cheaper AI Rivals
Foreign Tax Provision in U.S. Budget Bill Alarms Investors
Trump Accuses China of Violating Trade Agreement
Gerry Adams Wins Libel Case Against BBC
Russia Accuses Serbia of Supplying Arms to Ukraine
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
Chinese Woman Dies After Being Forced to Visit Bank Despite Critical Illness
President Trump Grants Full Pardons to Reality TV Stars Todd and Julie Chrisley
Texas Enacts App Store Accountability Act Mandating Age Verification
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Vatican Calls for Sustainable Tourism in 2025 Message
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
Trump Threatens 25% Tariff on iPhones Amid Dispute with Apple CEO
Putin's Helicopter Reportedly Targeted by Ukrainian Drones
Liverpool Car Ramming Incident Leaves Multiple Injured
Australia Faces Immigration Debate Following Labor Party Victory
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Founder Warns Against Trusting Regime in Nuclear Talks
Macron Dismisses Viral Video of Wife's Gesture as Playful Banter
Cleveland Clinic Study Questions Effectiveness of Recent Flu Vaccine
Netanyahu Accuses Starmer of Siding with Hamas
Junior Doctors Threaten Strike Over 4% Pay Offer
Labour MPs Urge Chancellor to Tax Wealthy Over Cutting Welfare
Publication of UK Child Poverty Strategy Delayed Until Autumn
France Detains UK Fishing Vessel Amid Post-Brexit Tensions
Calls Grow to Resume Syrian Asylum Claims in UK
Nigel Farage Pledges to Reinstate Winter Fuel Payments
Boris and Carrie Johnson Welcome Daughter Poppy
×