Sport

Kyle Walker announces retirement from international football with England at 35

He played for his country at five major tournaments.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 10th March 2026

Former Manchester City star and England defender has announced his retirement from international football at 35 years old.

He calls it a day for his country with nearly a century of appearances.

Kyle Walker, who has won six Premier Leagues, four Carabao trophies, a pair of FA Cups and a Champions League title with Man City, made his national team debut back in 2011.

Now, nearly a full decade and a half later, he is hanging up his boots on the biggest stage, retiring as England’s most capped right back in history.

As you can see, he confirmed the news in a highlight video looking back on her best moments with the Three Lions.

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Sharing a lengthy and emotional statement in the caption, the Yorkshireman wrote: “After more than a decade representing my country, I have decided to retire from international football. Playing for England has always been the biggest honour of my career and something I will always be proud of.

“Thank you to every teammate, coach, manager, the 12th man, and everyone behind the scenes who has been part of the journey. Every roar from the fans pushed the team along, and I’m looking forward to joining them to support the lads in the World Cup.”

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His last appearance in an England shirt came in June against Senegal, since dropping out of manager Thomas Tuchel’s first-choice team and future plans, with both form and age no doubt being factored into that decision.

Walker added: “The memories in an England shirt will stay with me forever.”

He went on to sign off by saying, “I also want to thank my family for their support every step of the way. They have made this journey even more special, and I will always be grateful to have shared it with them.”

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The Sheffield-born fullback left Manchester last year following a loan spell at AC Milan, before joining fellow Premier League side Burnley FC permanently this past July.

Meanwhile, the Clarets are staring down relegation back to the Championship; however, this step will no doubt help Walker prolong his club career, whether or not he stays in Lancashire.

Where does Walker rank among the all-time England defenders in your mind?

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Featured Images — Oleg Bkhambri (via Wikimedia Commons)/England (screenshot via YouTube)

Sport

Wigan Warriors’ Bevan French out for around four months with major muscle injury

Danny Jones Danny Jones Bevan French out injured for 4 months

Wigan Warriors player Bevan French has unfortunately been ruled out for roughly four months following a fairly serious muscle injury.

An important playmaker and cog in the wider team, his absence will surely be felt.

French, 30, is said to have suffered a hamstring tear during the win over Toulouse Olympique this past weekend, and while not as severe as a full rupture, Bevan has now been told by the club he will be sidelined for approximately 16 weeks, according to head coach Matt Peet.

Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester after learning the news, he provided a number of updates from the physio room, including the latest on Jai Field, who French had been filling in for at fullback.

While Wigan are currently leading the Super League once again, they will be without one of their key Warriors with just under a dozen games left in the season.

The Greater Manchester club’s quadruple-winning boss and former Coach of the Year admitted that, despite some obvious disappointments in the immediate aftermath, his “positive” and “philosophical” attitude has already kicked in.

He’s quite philosophical, Bevan. He quickly flips a switch.

“Now he knows the timeframe and the schedule for his recovery, like most professionals, he can get his head down now and focus on the present”, said the 41-year-old.

The Australian stand-off/fly-half has regularly run the show in red and white, and even amid periods out of the squad, he remains an understandable fan favourite and integral part of the team when fit.

You only need to hear pundits and peers alike describing him as a “special” talent to know how much of a big miss he’ll be.

As mentioned, Peet also shed more light on Field, who dropped out with appendicitis last week and is himself set for around four to five weeks away.

For now, youngster Noah Hodkinson is being given the chance to fill the void and work his way into the first team after regularly impressing in the reserves.

Nevertheless, they could have really done with him ahead of their upcoming games.

Domestically, all three of Leeds Rhinos, Warrington Wolves and St Helens aren’t far behind them in the table, so it could prove to be a tasty remainder of the 2026 campaign.

You can watch the highlights from the result against Toulouse on Saturday, 7 March, here.

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Featured Images — Fleets (via Wikimedia Commons)

Sport

Rodri has been fined for his comments about referees following Man City vs Spurs game

Danny Jones Danny Jones Rodri fined for comments about the ref Man City Spurs game

Manchester City star Rodri has been fined a large sum for his comments about recent refereeing following the Blues’ game against Tottenham Hotspur last month.

The Man City midfielder and Spanish international has avoided a match ban, as many supporters first feared, but will still pay £80k as punishment for the remarks.

While perhaps not a huge figure for a Premier League footballer, he still admitted to questioning the officiating on the day, but did submit evidence to the board in arguing his case.

The Euro 2024 winner had already been charged by the FA following the comments a fortnight after the frustrating home draw, but was given until 18 February to respond/appeal.

At the time, little detail was revealed about what exactly was said to the ref, with Rodri accusing Rob Jones of not being neutral and acting in an ‘improper manner’, but it was his comments in the post-match zone that shone an extra spotlight on the situation.

Speaking to the media after the game, the 29-year-old said: “I know we won too much and the people don’t want us to win, but the referee has to be neutral. It’s not fair because we work so hard.

“When everything is finished, you are frustrated. It’s one game and another game and another game – and it’s not possible. Honestly, I never speak about referees; I respect their job massively, but they have to pay attention to these things.”

Rodri was referring to the equaliser by Dominic Solanke, who scored his brace in the 70th-minute to bring his team level, but City and many other football fans believed kicked through defender Marc Guehi’s leg to do so.

As a result, instead of a foul being given, the goal stood, the game ended 2-2, and Pep Guardiola’s side went on to drop crucial points in this year’s title race.

In case you missed any of it, you can see the challenge/controversial goal in question HERE, and listen to Rodri’s response in the immediate aftermath down below.

As you can see, he went on to insist that the incident was “so clear”, as well as intimating that this wasn’t the first time.

He and others around the club believe he and his teammates had been on the receiving end of some incorrect decisions for “two, three games in a row”, adding, “I don’t know why.”

What do you make of the choice to fine Rodri for his comments about referees, or do you think the central Man City cog should have even been punished?

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Featured Images — Sky Sports (screenshot via YouTube)

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