Lydia Williams, goalkeeper for Australia women\u2019s national team, known as the Matildas, announced on May 9 that she will retire from international football after this summer\u2019s Paris Olympics.<\/p>\n
Matildas veteran Williams has been playing internationally for 19 years, making her the longest-serving player for Australia’s women’s national team.<\/p>\n
Racking up a massive 103 caps, she has played in five World Cups and six Asian Cups, including the 2010 Asian Cup that she won with the Matildas.<\/p>\n
Williams told\u00a0Wide World of Sports<\/a>: “I’ve been there for everyone’s first cap. I’ve got to see their growth as players and more importantly as humans, and now they get to be there for my final cap and final touch on the field as a Matilda. I’m just really thankful that I get that opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n Read more:<\/strong>\u00a0England And Manchester City Legend Steph Houghton Has Announced That She Is To Retire At The End Of The Season.<\/a><\/p>\n Most recently, the 36-year-old\u00a0 was part of Australia\u2019s squad that played against England\u2019s Lionesses in the semi-final of the 2023 Women\u2019s World Cup, co-hosted in her home nation alongside New Zealand.<\/p>\n This summer will be her third Olympic football tournament after Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.<\/p>\n Williams made her international debut at the age of 15 against Korea Republic in 2005.<\/p>\n Born in Canberra, a proud Noongar woman, Williams became the second indigenous woman, after Kyah Simon, to reach 100 appearances for Australia and has been inducted into the Aboriginal and Islander Sports Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n According to\u00a0The Guardian<\/a>, FA CEO James Johnson deemed Williams to be leaving behind: \u201can indelible legacy that will inspire future generations of Indigenous and non-Indigenous backgrounds\u201d.<\/p>\n Currently the only goalkeeper in Matildas history to surpass the milestone of 100 caps with the team, Williams has many individual accolades to her name, including the Deadly Award for Female Sportsperson of the Year in 2006.<\/p>\n The Australian goalkeeper has played in some of the top leagues in the world, transferring between the A-League Women in Australia, USA\u2019s NWSL,\u00a0Arsenal<\/a>\u00a0in England\u2019s WSL, and the Division F\u00e9menine in France.<\/p>\n She most recently returned to Australia\u2019s A-League Women where she plays for Melbourne Victory, having just seen out their 2023\/24 season at the Grand Final against Sydney FC on May 4.<\/p>\n The roster announcement for the inaugural A-League Women’s All-Star team on May 9 saw Williams selected alongside Sydney FC goalkeeper Jada Whyman.<\/p>\n The team will play Arsenal women in an exhibition match on May 24 at the Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.<\/p>\n There is no guarantee of a roster spot for Williams in Paris this summer since only two goalkeepers are expected to be included in the final Olympic 18-player squad.<\/p>\n Australia\u2019s number one is now Mackenzie Arnold and the second spot has recently been taken by Liverpool’s<\/a>\u00a0Teagan Micah.<\/p>\nInternational Footballing Journey<\/strong><\/h3>\n
World-wide Club Career<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Olympic Prospects and Williams\u2019 Final Game<\/strong><\/h3>\n