Carli Lloyd, regarded as one of the greatest women’s soccer players, has announced her retirement, US Soccer said on Monday. The 39-year-old, twice Fifa’s Women’s Player of the Year, stands second in the list of most-capped women’s players. Her 312 appearances for the US include two World Cups and two Olympic gold medals. Her 128 international goals places her joint-fifth on the all-time list.
“When I first started out with the national team in 2005, my two main goals were to be the most complete soccer player I could be and to help the team win championships,” she said.
“Every single day I stepped out on to the field, I played as if it was my last game. I never wanted to take anything for granted, especially knowing how hard it is to get to the top, but even harder to stay at the top for so long.“
US Soccer said it would soon announce four friendly matches for the women’s national team – two in September and two in October – which will serve as Lloyd’s final games for the team.
She will play the remainder of the National Women’s Soccer League 2021 season with NJ/NY Gotham FC before calling time on her professional club career, which has spanned 12 years and six teams.
“Her career was unique and her success on the field is something all current and future national team players should aspire to achieve,” said the US Women’s head coach, Vlatko Andonovski. “The way she approached her everyday training and career as a professional is truly impressive and I’ve been honored to coach her.”
Lloyd may be remembered best for her 17-minute hat-trick in the 2015 Women’s World Cup final, including an outrageous strike from midfield to put her side 4-0 up on their way to a 5-2 victory over Japan.
“Through all the goals, the trophies, the medals and the championships won, what I am most proud of is that I’ve been able to stay unapologetically me,” she said.
“My journey has been hard, but I can honestly say I’ve stayed true to myself, to my teammates, my coaches, the media and the fans throughout my entire career and that is what I am most proud of.”