Los Angeles (AFP)
Two-time Olympic champion American footballer Carli Lloyd announced Monday that she will retire internationally by the end of 2021, in a statement released by US Soccer.
Lloyd, also twice named Fifa Player of the Year, has said she will hang up her boots after a series of friendlies with the national team scheduled for this fall.
The 39-year-old also plans to end the season with her club NJ / NY Gotham FC in the US Women's Football Championship.
She recently participated in the Tokyo Olympics with the American selection, which won the bronze medal.
The 2015 and 2019 world champions were aiming for gold in Japan but lost in the semifinals to the future Olympic champions, Canadians.
Lloyd, the oldest of this Olympic selection, has 312 appearances in the national jersey, only surpassed by Kristine Lilly and her 354 selections between 1987 and 2010.
"When I started with the national team in 2005, my two main goals were to be the most complete player possible and to help the team win tournaments," said Lloyd.
“Every day I stepped onto the pitch like it was my last game. I never took anything for granted, especially knowing how hard it is to reach the top, and even more so. be there that long, ”she added.
The striker has known five coaches and played with six clubs during her professional career.
"Carli Lloyd is a true legend," said Vlatko Andonovski, the national women's team coach, in the US Soccer statement.
"Her career is unique, and her success on the pitch is something all future players on the national team should aspire to know," he said.
© 2021 AFP