Lydia Williams, goalkeeper for Australia women’s national team, known as the Matildas, announced on May 9 that she will retire from international football after this summer’s Paris Olympics.
The Matildas’ Veteran Goalkeeper Lydia Williams Announces That She Will Retire After Paris Olympics
The Legacy Williams leaves Upon Retirement
Matildas veteran Williams has been playing internationally for 19 years, making her the longest-serving player for Australia’s women’s national team.
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.
Williams told Wide World of Sports: “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.”
Most recently, the 36-year-old was part of Australia’s squad that played against England’s Lionesses in the semi-final of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, co-hosted in her home nation alongside New Zealand.
This summer will be her third Olympic football tournament after Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.
International Footballing Journey
Williams made her international debut at the age of 15 against Korea Republic in 2005.
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.
According to The Guardian, FA CEO James Johnson deemed Williams to be leaving behind: “an indelible legacy that will inspire future generations of Indigenous and non-Indigenous backgrounds”.
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.
World-wide Club Career
The Australian goalkeeper has played in some of the top leagues in the world, transferring between the A-League Women in Australia, USA’s NWSL, Arsenal in England’s WSL, and the Division Fémenine in France.
She most recently returned to Australia’s 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.
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.
The team will play Arsenal women in an exhibition match on May 24 at the Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.
Olympic Prospects and Williams’ Final Game
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.
Australia’s number one is now Mackenzie Arnold and the second spot has recently been taken by Liverpool’s Teagan Micah.
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If Williams doesn’t make the Olympic squad, the Matildas’ pre-Olympic World Friendly game against China in Sydney on June 3 could be Williams’ last international game.
Coach Tony Gustavsson praised everything that the shots topper has achieved for women’s football during her career, writing that: “Lydia truly represents what the CommBank Matildas are all about. Incredible on-field talent mixed with authenticity, warmth, and a desire to leave the game better than she found it”.
Football Australia will pay tribute to Williams’ career at Accor Stadium before the Matildas head to Europe to take on Germany at their Olympic tournament opener in Marseilles.
