Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams has announced she will retire from international football after the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The 35-year-old athlete is the longest-serving Matildas player and has made 103 appearances for the international team. She forged a distinguished career representing Australia, having played at five World Cups and being part of the 2010 Asian Cup title triumph.
Paris will be her third Olympic football tournament before she hangs up her gloves for the green and gold.
On Thursday night, Williams told her social media followers the news.
“I’ve always wanted to leave the game better than when I first came in it, and I hope that I’ve had a hand in that,” she said.
“I love the team, and I love the girls, and I’m going to miss them so much.”
“And I just hope that the level of support and love shown to the Matildas and to each and every single player continues. The hype continues to grow, and hopefully it’s left for the better.”
“All good things come to an end, but I’m really excited to start my next journey.”
A proud Noongar woman Williams was first selected to join the Matildas as a 15-year-old, and she’s one of only two Indigenous Australians to earn 100 Matildas caps along with Kyah Simon. Williams is also the only goalkeeper in Matilda’s history to surpass the milestone.
Williams has been inducted into the Aboriginal and Islander Sports Hall of Fame. She also won the Deadly Award for Female Sportsperson of the Year in 2006, among many other individual accolades.
“Lydia’s Matildas’ career is truly iconic, spanning continents and playing generations,” said FA CEO James Johnson.
She has given so much to this team and to Australian football and will be long remembered as a legend of the modern game. She has influenced the women’s game in a way that will be felt for generations to come.”
Looking towards the Paris Olympics, the Matildas hope to win their first Olympic medal later this year. Coached by Tony Gustavsson, the team has been drawn in Group B with the world No. 4 United States, world No. 5 Germany and Zambia.
This will be the Matilda’s fifth time competing in the Olympics, with their highest finish ever being fourth place in Tokyo 2020. Williams was part of the historic achievement which almost saw a podium finish after a 4-3 loss to the USA in the bronze medal game.
This year, the Matildas will open their Olympic campaign against the Europeans on July 25 as they play their group stage matches in Marseille and Nice.