Matildas stalwart Lydia Williams announces international retirement

A Matildas stalwart has announced her international retirement, bringing to an end almost two decades in the national team.

Lydia Williams pictured in one of the Australian outfits for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

The Matildas will lose one of the longest-tenured members of its squad with Lydia Williams to end her near two-decade international career.

Williams started her Matildas career in 2005, wining an Asian Cup and playing in three others, along with two World Cups and Olympics campaigns.

She was first selected for a women’s World Cup in 2007 and played her 100th international game last year, and saw much of the current squad take their first steps in the national team over her long career.

But the end is around the corner, with Williams, who turns 36 next week, confirming she will hang up the boots after the Paris Olympics, as she revealed on Channel 10’s ‘The Project’.

Thank you @TheMatildas for the journey.
Thank you Australia for your support.
Thank you girlies for your heart 💚💛 https://t.co/wmTGKP7MMf

— Lydia Williams (@lydsaussie) May 9, 2024

“I feel at peace with the decision,” Williams told ‘The Project’.

“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.”

Lydia Williams models one of the Australian outfits for the Paris Olympics. Picture: Getty Images

A proud Noongar woman, Williams has built an impressive off-field reputation as a leader and role model in the community and a champion for equality.

She was the face of one of the biggest moments in Matildas history when the national team went on strike during a pay dispute with the national body.

“I’m really passionate about advocacy and making sure that whatever role you step into, you leave it in a better position, a better place,” Williams went on to say on the Channel 10 program.

“I just want to make sure that all female athletes have a voice, all Indigenous people continue to develop and leave their mark on whatever career they want to choose.”

With her many on-field achievements, Williams’ great legacy will be the guiding hand she played with younger teammates, including Mackenzie Arnold, who became a household name during last year’s World Cup.

The 35-year-old created history alongside Clare Polkinghorne as the first Australians – male or female – to feature at five World Cups when she represented the Matildas at the 2023 event.

Australian keeper Lydia Williams and Mackenzie Arnold share a moment after the FIFA Women’s World Cup third place playoff loss to Sweden. Picture: Adam Head

The image of a lonesome Williams crying in-goal became one of the most emotional moments of Australia’s World Cup exit, in what was her final Matildas moment at a World Cup.

“I think it was a full circle moment,” Williams told CODE Sports.
“From being around for the bid when it was obviously Covid times and the realisation that we actually got the World Cup to actually be a part of the whole journey and such history-making moments.

“For me, it was taking it all in. Seeing the legacy that we created on the pitch.

“It was a nice, bittersweet moment of me taking it all in.”

🏟 103 Caps, 🌏 5 #FIFAWWC, 🏆 1 AFC Women's Asian Cup title,⌚️ 19 years with the senior national team & our longest serving player@lydsaussie announces her international retirement following #Paris2024.#Matildas#ThanksLydspic.twitter.com/K84tid1CQx

— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) May 9, 2024

Williams is set on finishing her career after the Olympics, and there would be no greater send-off than a gold medal around her neck.

But for the goalkeeper, who was on Thursday also announced in the A-League Women’s All-Stars squad to face Arsenal, it is the depth of quality in the Matildas program - as players and as people - which means the most.

Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams will retire from international football after the Olympics. Picture: Richard Dobson

“I wanted this team to be in the best shape and leave the best way possible,” Williams said.

“Obviously it would be lovely to leave with silverware and something physical.

“But I made friends that I think I’ll be friends with for life. We have memories and experiences that I wouldn’t swap for anything in the world.

“And I guess I’ve been there for everyone’s first caps, and they get to be there for my last one.

“So for me, it’s kind of full circle.”

But she hasn’t allowed herself to think about that final game.

“Every time I try to think about it, I start crying,” Williams said.

“It would be lovely to finish with silverware, something physical, but I have made friends for life.

“Every time I try to think about it I start crying. I am going to avoid that (for now).”

Originally published as Matildas stalwart Lydia Williams announces international retirement