Kieran Trippier has announced his retirement from international football after earning 54 caps and helping England reach two European Championship finals. The 33-year-old Newcastle defender confirmed his decision less than two hours before Lee Carsley was due to announce his first England squad.
Trippier started six games at Euro 2024 under Gareth Southgate, out of position at left-back, but was not selected for the final defeat by Spain.
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“I never thought as a young lad from Bury that I would play for my country let alone achieve 54 caps,” Trippier wrote on Instagram. “It’s been one of the biggest honours of my life to represent my country at 4 major tournaments. I want to say a big thank you to Gareth and all the staff that have worked with the England squad for the trust they have placed in me throughout the years.
“Thank you to all my teammates – we have had some very special moments reaching 2 Euro finals, and a World Cup semi final and I am sure in the future this group of players will win a major tournament.”
Trippier has not started a league match this season and the first-choice Newcastle right-back, Tino Livramento, is tipped to be called up. “I want to wish Lee, the coaching staff and the team all the best for the future,” Trippier said. “And finally a big thank you to all the England fans for your incredible support travelling all over the world to support us and keeping us going in the difficult moments.”
Southgate first called up Trippier in 2017, handing him a debut in a friendly against France. The full-back’s only goal for his country came in the 2018 World Cup semi-final defeat by Croatia, his early free-kick giving England the lead.
Trippier’s club future looks uncertain after he asked to leave Newcastle. His former Burnley manager Sean Dyche could be interested in signing him for Everton, and Atalanta and Galatasaray could make a move for him.
Meanwhile, the 38-year-old Jesús Navas has called time on his Spain career after winning 56 caps in 15 years. Navas won the World Cup in 2010 before going on to be part of victorious European Championship squads in 2012 and 2024, and winning the Nations League, making him the most successful Spain international.
“The greatest of all is representing my country,” he said. “The dream and the memories will remain intact as will the pride of having made so many people happy.”
