Former England forward Toni Duggan says her career has been “more than I could ever have dreamed of” as she announces her retirement from football.

The 33-year-old has enjoyed an incredible career spanning 17 years, amassing 79 caps for her country, as well as playing for some of the world’s biggest clubs.

She has played in World Cup semi-finals, Champions League finals and the biggest cup finals in the domestic game.

Football is all she has ever known.

“I saw an old interview. I was 27 and playing in Spain at the time. They asked ‘what is your biggest fear?’ – and I said ‘retirement’,” Duggan told BBC Sport.

“It is weird now, sitting here, and today is the day. I’ve been so lucky with the career I’ve had and I’ve loved every single minute.

“I just think it’s made me the person I am. I was a little girl who grew up on the streets of Liverpool who wanted to play football. I wanted to be accepted.

“We had to fight for everything we wanted but when I look back, the journey has just been more than I could ever have dreamed of.

“To everyone who has played their part – family, friends, coaches and everyone involved – thank you.”

It is a moment many footballers fear, and while Duggan has no immediate plans, she knows she wants to stay in the game.

Retirement has given Duggan a chance to reflect on her achievements and what has made her most proud.

“I always knew I wanted to play football. [People] said I couldn’t because it wasn’t professional – but I wanted to be a footballer,” she added.

“I have been myself all along – that’s what makes me most proud. I was always a winner and wanted to win from the first day I kicked a ball.

“To have those trophies and memories is nice. But the fact I can walk away and say I did it my way, had fun, competed in everything and had great support, just gives me memories to last forever.”

Duggan’s journey began at Everton when she broke into the first team as a 16-year-old, and she would go on to represent Manchester City, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, before returning to Merseyside to finish her career.

She was a key player for England and says it was like “the Lionesses were born” after the 2015 Women’s World Cup, when they won bronze.

“Honestly, playing for England were the best days of my life. I just loved it. I loved travelling with the team and having the laughs we had,” said Duggan.

“I think I was [aware of my profile]. It grew. The catalyst for it was the Women’s World Cup in Canada. We’ve never really looked back since.

“I was so proud to be part of that team. We didn’t come away with the gold medal but we definitely changed the perception of women’s football.”

Since then, investment has grown and the Lionesses have delivered, winning Euro 2022 and reaching the Women’s World Cup final in 2023.

Duggan is proud her generation were “a part of all the firsts”.

“There is something special and nice about doing the ‘firsts’. Of course, we would have loved those opportunities, but I don’t look back with any regrets,” she said.

“The first time Nike decided to do a women’s football kit, the first time we sold out Wembley Stadium, the first time women played at Anfield and Goodison Park, the first time England won a bronze medal at a Women’s World Cup.

“There will be kids in the future who have much better experiences than I did. But that’s the way the world works – and hopefully one of those kids can be [my daughter] Luella.”

Duggan became one of the first high-profile English players to become a mother in March 2023, and received maternity pay from Everton.

She says returning from pregnancy to play in the Women’s Super League (WSL) for a year was one of her proudest moments.

“Just coming back from it all, going through pregnancy and coming back to being an elite footballer was difficult – but incredible as well,” said Duggan.

“To have Luella in the stands with me last year – she was only young and won’t remember it, but I certainly will. It was a great achievement and one I’m proud of.”

Duggan moved to Barcelona in 2017 and helped them reach the Women’s Champions League final, scoring 20 goals in 51 appearances before joining Atletico Madrid.

English players have now followed in her footsteps, moving abroad to develop their careers, and Duggan believes she helped shine a spotlight on the experience.

“We won every trophy domestically and I felt like I had done it all [at Manchester City]. I just wanted a new challenge,” said Duggan.

“I didn’t sit there as a kid dreaming of playing for Barcelona, because, if I’m honest, I didn’t know they had a women’s team.

“When the interest came, I thought ‘what an opportunity that is’ and I just couldn’t turn it down. There were many others who did the same.

“But my move was helped by the fact it was Barcelona and it was right on top of Manchester City’s success. It drew attention.”

As she ends her football career, having achieved so much, Duggan’s final message is simple.

“Let’s not become divas or untouchables. There is something special about the women’s game. We have always been real,” she said.

“On another day, our generation was fighting for all of this. Keep going. The sky is the limit. The game is in a great place. Keep pushing it on.”