FA Chairman Greg Dyke led the tributes to Fara Williams after the midfielder won her 150th England cap.
The 32-year-old led Mark Sampson’s side out of the tunnel ahead of their 2-1 defeat to Germany at the SheBelieves Cup in Nashville.
Dyke said: “This is a simply wonderful achievement by Fara.
“To reach 150 caps for England is remarkable and who knows what total she might go on to. It is arguable that her record may never be beaten in both the women’s and men’s games.
"Having been a major part of our success last summer at the World Cup in Canada, scoring the winner in the bronze medal match against Germany, and then been made an MBE for her services to football, Fara is a shining light for others to follow.
“I am sure there are young girls and boys across the country who look to her for inspiration – whatever their club allegiance.”
Williams made her debut against Portugal in November 2001.
She has played in three World Cups, three European Championships and the London Olympics, and is the highest scorer in the current squad with 40 goals.
