A mainstay throughout Walsh’s career has been best friend and team-mate Williamson, who played alongside her in England’s youth teams.
Williamson, the Lionesses captain, said Walsh was “a good person to have in your corner” and praised her consistency.
“The way she plays is subtle but integral to the team that she’s in. If Keira’s good and if Keira’s flying, the team’s flying,” Williamson told the Women’s Football Weekly podcast.
“That is a heavy weight to carry, but one that I think she does with the way she presents herself. She’s just this real steady, consistent presence.
“Keira can do things on a ball that other people can’t. At my first World Cup in France [2019], she picked up the nickname ‘Baby Ronnie’ after Brazilian Ronaldo.
“Everything about her just oozes elegance and I hope she knows how appreciated she is among us. She dictates the way that you play.”
Off the pitch, the pair often share rooms and sit together when travelling to England matches.
Their families are close and Williamson said she has learned from Walsh.
“She wears her heart on her sleeve and says it as it is. I think more people should be like that,” added Williamson.
“Keira is a really considerate person and a really good listener. She’s very intelligent. She thinks about things before she says them.
“She can be a bit annoying sometimes because she’ll give me the thing I don’t want to hear, but her perspective on life, how she treats other people, cultures, all of those different things, she’s taught me a lot.
“She’s just a good person to have in your corner.”
