Matildas stalwart announces retirement plans
Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams has announced that she will retire from international football following Australia’s campaign at Paris 2024.
The 35-year-old will finish her international career as the Matildas’ longest-serving player after 19 years with the national team.
Williams made her debut for the Matildas in 2005 as a 15-year-old and has since gone on to feature in five FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments, four Asian Cup campaigns and two Olympic Games across her 103 caps.
Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams dives for the ball during a training session.
The proud Noongar woman was the Matildas’ first-choice goalkeeper during the side’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup triumph in 2021.
Throughout her professional career, Williams has played in Australia, America and Europe — and is now back playing for Melbourne victory.
“I feel at peace with the decision,” Williams said of her decision to hang up her boots after Paris.
“I’m extremely lucky that I get to go out, the way that I want to, and have the opportunity to share that with the girls and everyone who’s fallen in love with the Tillies.”
On Thursday, Williams was announced as a goalkeeper in the inaugural A-League Women All Stars team ahead of the side’s exhibition match against Arsenal Women on May 24 at Marvel Stadium.