- Lydia Williams retires from international football
- He played for 19 years at the highest level with the Matildas.
- Williams played a crucial role in introducing equal pay
Lydia Williams has announced her retirement from football, with the veteran goalkeeper hanging up her gloves after the Olympic Games.
“I am officially retiring from international football after the Paris Olympics,” he told The Project.
‘I feel at peace with the decision. I’m very lucky to be able to go out the way I want and have the opportunity to share it with the girls and everyone who has fallen in love with the Tillies.’
Williams, who has played in five World Cups and two Olympic Games during his 19-year international career, was part of the Matildas team that won the hearts and minds of the nation during last year’s home campaign.
“That was crazy,” he reflected on his run to the semi-final.
Lydia Williams has announced her retirement from international football
The Matildas goalkeeper has represented her country for 19 years
‘That was seeing a nation fall in love with the team. “That was seeing the girls perform the way they did and being a part of it, bringing a World Cup to Australia.”
Williams has long been an advocate for promoting women’s football and said the 2023 tournament was a vindication of the group’s self-confidence.
‘We believe in ourselves as a group as much as we do in the Matildas. We’re almost at an “I told you so” [stage]”, in some way.’
Williams was the face of the team’s pay dispute with Football Australia in 2015, in which the group went on strike. His stance eventually led to an equal pay deal, a seismic moment in Australian sport.
‘I’m very passionate about defense and making sure that whatever role you take on, you leave it in a better position, in a better place.
Williams played a crucial role in introducing equal pay in Australia
“I just want to make sure that all female athletes have a voice, that all indigenous people continue to develop and make their mark in whatever career they want to choose.”
Williams also took a moment to reflect on the influence of her father, who championed her soccer activities but never saw her play for his country, having died before she debuted in 2005.
‘I would be very proud. “He would have been delighted,” Williams said.