Katie McCabe seemingly confirms break-up with Ireland teammate Ruesha Littlejohn before World Cup

In an article for the Players Tribune, Ireland captain Katie McCabe has indicated that she is no longer in a relationship with her international teammate, Ruesha Littlejohn. The revelation came while she was recalling her reaction to being named Ireland captain in 2017, where she referred to Littlejohn in the past tense as ‘my partner at the time,’ hinting at their break-up.

McCabe shared how her journey to becoming Ireland’s captain was an incredible experience, with support from Ireland legend Emma Byrne when she joined Arsenal in late 2015. A little over a year later, then Ireland manager Colin Bell surprised McCabe with a phone call, offering her the role of captaincy.

“I was on a trip to Coney Island, Northern Ireland, with Ruesha, my partner at the time, and her family. At some point, I checked my phone, and I saw that I had a missed call from Colin Bell, the Ireland coach,” wrote McCabe in the Players Tribune article.

Upon Bell’s captaincy offer, McCabe was taken aback, but after a moment of disbelief, she accepted the role. However, when she shared the news with Ruesha, her reaction was one of surprise.

McCabe and Littlejohn began dating around 2016 and went public with their relationship in 2019. Together, they have been advocates for campaigns supporting young people struggling with their sexuality.

In early 2022, McCabe spoke about their relationship, highlighting the unique understanding they shared as both were professional footballers representing top clubs like Arsenal and Aston Villa, along with their national team, the Republic of Ireland.

As the football community processes this news, fans and teammates continue to show support for both players, appreciating their dedication to the sport and their contributions to helping others.

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