During 2024, Steven Davis and Jonny Evans, first and fourth on the Northern Ireland men’s team’s all-time appearance list, hung up their boots, although the latter continues to play for his club, Manchester United.
Additionally, Stuart Dallas, another key player and one of the few in the team with significant Premier League experience, was forced to retire due to injury at just 32 years old.
In its place, a new leadership group has emerged, one that is expected to grow considerably over the next 12 months.
Liverpool’s Conor Bradley enjoyed a banner year in 2024, from his breakthrough performance against Chelsea in January to his viral tackle on Kylian Mbappé in November.
Among those highlights for his club, the 21-year-old scored his country’s first goal in the victory over Scotland (followed by three more throughout the calendar year) and donned the captain’s armband in two of the six games . after Evans’ retirement.
The captain’s role would be rotated through a successful Nations League campaign, which would also see Trai Hume and Shea Charles take their turn as Northern Ireland topped a group that also included Bulgaria, Belarus and Luxembourg.
That young trio looks key to Northern Ireland’s success in 2025 and beyond, but there will be interest over who, if any, will be named captain on a more regular basis this year.
