Jill Scott is the latest Lionesses star to announce her retirement from professional football.The midfielder earned a remarkable 161 international caps and was part of the England side that won Euro 2022 last month.Scott is one of the most influential and admired players in England’s history and only Fara Williams has ever made more appearances for the national team.In total, the 35-year-old featured in 10 major tournaments as well as two Olympic Games for Great Britain.Her retirement comes just 24 hours after her Man City and England teammate Ellen White also confirmed she would be hanging up her boots.

Scott’s farewell words

Having finally secured the major international silverware she’d craved for so long, many suspected Scott would call time on her career. 

In an emotional post on the Players Tribune, Scott opened up on her decision to step away from the game and how now was the perfect time to say goodbye. 

“You know the last thing I ever did on a football pitch? It was perfectly me,” she wrote. “We had celebrated, the streamers were going off, and I was just sitting there with my medal on the grass for an hour and a half, taking it all in … and I knew, deep in my heart, that this was it.

"I'm so in love with the game," Scott added in a video. "I have been ever since kicking a ball at the age of five. I'll forever be in love with the game.

“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."

Scott’s incredible career

The midfielder made her international debut back in 2006 and has been an integral part of the Lionesses' midfield ever since. 

Scott was part of the England team that finished runners-up to Germany at Euro 2009 –– making this year’s win at Wembley even sweeter. 

She also played a pivotal role in England’s 2011, 2015 and 2019 World Cup campaigns. 

Last year, Scott won her 150th cap for the Lionesses against Northern Ireland and captained the side as they won 6-0. 

As well as her plethora of international achievements, Scott also won one Women’s Super League title, four FA Cups and three League Cups during her career. 

In 2019 she was awarded an MBE on the New Year's Honours list for her contribution to the sport.