Former Arsenal Women and Manchester City Women defender Jen Beattie has announced her retirement from football.
The 33-year-old is putting an end to a career that has lasted almost 19 years, playing around the world in Great Britain, Australia and the US, as well as internationally for Scotland.
“It's taken me a long time to come to a decision, but it's finally time to retire and step away from football and the game I've loved for so long,” Beattie said in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports News.
“There are so many different reasons, but ultimately it has been on my mind for a few seasons now. You never really know when the time will be right, but a lot of other things really fulfilled me and I was ready to start doing that next. chapter.”
Here she looks back on her playing career and what comes next…
'First Arsenal was a turning point in my life'
Beattie started her career with Celtic in her hometown of Glasgow, before moving to Arsenal in 2009…
“I played senior football in Scotland and we started at 16, 17, 18 but it was completely amateur.
“Arsenal was always the number one team. They won the European Cup in 2009 and I got the call straight after.
“The phone call to sign me was one of those moments I will never forget. I was incredibly lucky with a man called Tony Gervais, my Scotland U19 coach, who got the assistant job at Arsenal.
“It was a turning point in my entire life and the best decision I ever made to start drawing.”
'Montpellier one of the best and hardest things I've done'
After four successful years at Arsenal, Beattie moved to France to play for Montpellier…
“When I signed for Arsenal I was one of the biggest names in football. Instead of watching those players on TV, I'm in a dressing room with Kelly Smith, Rachel Yankee, Alex Scott and all those players I know. ” I've been looking forward to it for so long. So that let me know what success looks and feels like and what it takes to get there.
“But they were still semi-professional and there was no room for me on a contract basis. The opportunities to go full-time were elsewhere and Montpellier was looking for a centre-back. My brother was playing rugby there at the same time.” time, so I had a bit of a comfort blanket.
“It was the best and hardest thing I've ever done, playing in the south of France. It sounds great and it was in so many ways, but I was only 22 and it was a different language and a different style of football.” But I learned a lot about myself and it's so important to go through those hard times.”
'Early Man City project blew me away'
Beattie returned to the WSL in 2015 when she signed for Manchester City…
“Their project and plans blew every other club out of the park at the time – and the way they invested in the women's team. I'll never forget the phone call when they showed me the plans. It was the style of football and to get back are in England, closer to friends and family.
“One of the best decisions I ever made was signing for Man City. I have my best memories there and I think I made incredible progress as a footballer too.
“To this day, Nick Cushing is still one of the best coaches I have ever had. He plays with some top players and continues to win trophies.”
Playing in Melbourne with Little, Fishlock and Catley
While at Man City, there was also a short loan spell at Melbourne City – a team that is also part of the City Football Group – between 2015 and 2016…
“We were a summer league at the time and Melbourne was playing during the break, so I didn't miss any football.
“They wanted to sign a centre-back and I thought, 'I would 100 per cent love to do that'. Again, it was some of the best four months of my life.
“Melbourne is an incredible city and I felt so safe within that City Football Group, where I learned a similar style of football. I played with my best friend, Kim Little, who came across us, and also Jess Fishlock, another incredible midfielder. There I also met Steph Catley, who has become one of my best friends.
“I know it's ironic to go to the other side of the world to play football when you want to be closer to friends and family, but football is about experiences, growth and challenge. That was another moment when it was outside my limits were.” comfort zone, I won two more trophies.”
Beattie's breast cancer diagnosis
Beattie returned to Arsenal in 2019, but in 2020 she had a spell away from the game after being diagnosed with breast cancer…
“I always give credit to Arsenal because when I had to go through something as difficult as breast cancer, I felt so supported, whether it was emotionally or physically, going through the diagnosis with tests and appointments.
“The hardest part was having to give up football to have the operation. All I wanted was to play with my friends again, get back into competition and everything I craved, but it was the mentality of a athlete.
“I just put one foot in front of the other and tried to get through it the best way I could. I felt really lucky to have a great group of people at the club.
“I always talk about Joe Montemurro in that sense. I always knew he was an incredible human being, but he became a second father in that moment, when you are away from friends and family.
“My view on football has changed. I will always be competitive and chase trophies, that is ingrained in me. I always wanted to play at the top with the best players, but the fun became more important and the connection with teammates is what I appreciated Real.
“I really enjoyed every day after that, regardless of injuries or selection or whatever. It brought me closer to my teammates. To win just one more trophy after that doesn't sound like the most successful period, but it's probably some of the best. my best years. It turned everything upside down.”
'Winning awards for charities is what I am most proud of'
Beattie has won awards for her charity work raising breast cancer awareness. In 2021, she won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year's Helen Morrison Award and an MBE in 2023. In America, she also received the Lauren Holiday Award for her contributions to the community…
“Football has a platform and I think it's a responsibility we all have as women in the game. That's something I never took lightly and I always respected the kind of platform we had and wanted to use it for good.”
“No matter what I personally went through, it was never about me. It was about the bigger picture and trying to share stories and create communities within football, but also beyond.
“Sharing my story again, I never in a million years thought it would lead to awards, but in the end they are probably the things I am most proud of because they are not football related and it is how you are as a human being.
“It's also an honor for football to really share the story beyond me. I was so impressed by the support from the football community and the way they showed support in sharing that story is something I will never forget .”
'Bay FC and NWSL challenge harder than expected'
After leaving Arsenal for the second time, Beattie joined NWSL side Bay FC, marking the first time she would play in the US…
“The NWSL is hard to watch because of the time difference, but it was always a league I was intrigued by. What Bay FC was trying to do as a club was very similar to the European style of football and I thought, 'If I'm going to do it do it, it's now or never'.
“It seemed like the right thing at the time and to have that experience at the end of my career, I'm very grateful for it. It was another challenge and probably even harder than I expected.
“That competition is on a different level and physically very difficult. But when I was a kid from Glasgow living in California for the last year, it was an amazing experience. I have the palm tree tattoo to prove it.”
'Special days as part of Scotland'
Internationally, Beattie earned over 100 appearances for Scotland. She helped the team qualify for their first World Cup in 2019…
“When I first got into the national team, we hadn't quite made it yet. We went on to qualify for the 2017 European Championships and the 2019 World Cup, so it was one of the most special days to play two tournaments in a row. play of that team.
“Aside from qualifying for those tournaments, they are some of the best people in terms of how much fun I had taking part in them and meeting Scottish people every six weeks. I absolutely loved it, especially when I was 18 moved.
“To qualify for two major tournaments and know what that has done for the country in terms of more girls playing and really having an impact on the development of the Scottish game at home is something we have always tried to encourage, especially with the association We are trying to grow the game, the numbers and the investments.”
What's next for Jen Beattie?
“I really love media and broadcasting. I got into it a few years ago and when I retired from Scotland a few years ago I got those international windows to try it and see if I liked it .
“It keeps you close to the football, keeps you talking about it and involved. When you're about to go live and the adrenaline is there, that's the closest you'll ever get to 90 minutes .”
“I'm sure this is what I want to do. I've also seen my dad do it in Scotland for years and I'll be that cliché boy who could try to follow in his footsteps. Coaching isn't on the radar at the moment.”
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