When the leaves fall, it's over: US star Lloyd pauses

Title, Goals – and a Lasting Impression: In her active years, US national player Carli Lloyd made sure women’s football got more attention not just with her skills on the pitch. Now the end of his career is near – at the age of 39.

Will make a big mark in women’s football and beyond: American star Carli Lloyd.
Imago Image/Zuma Wire

Two-time world footballer Carli Lloyd will make her final appearance in the world champion’s jersey at the upcoming four US internationals in September and October, as the North American federation “US Soccer” announced on Monday. She will then play her club NJ/NY Gotham FC in the US-League NWSL with the season still over. But then, in the autumn of her career and in the autumn of this year, it must be over for good.

Lloyd, often the deciding player for US selection in big games, has played 312 international matches and scored 128 goals. Only Christine Lilly (354) beat him by these values. In 2015 and 2019 she also won the World Championship title with USA and in 2008 and 2012 she won Olympic gold with her team. At this year’s Summer Games in Tokyo, Lloyd & Co were surprisingly content with bronze, with Sweden and Canada (2:3 IE) facing each other in the final.

“It was an honor for me”

“When I started on the national team in 2005, my two main goals were to be the best female footballer and help the team win the title,” said Lloyd, who was named the best female footballer in the world in 2015 and 2016. – and also emphasized this point: “Every day when I was on the pitch, I played like it was my last game.”

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Meanwhile, US national coach Wlatko Andonovsky praised a “unique career” and said of the midfielder: “Carli Lloyd is a true legend.” Above all, Lloyd’s attitude towards work is exemplary: “The way she approaches her daily training and her career as a professional is really impressive – and it’s an honor for me to train her.” It was a matter.”

Nothing scares me.

Throughout her career, however, she has repeatedly campaigned for equality in the sport, for example, in 2019 with her teammates, she filed a lawsuit against women’s unequal pay in football. With a rainbow-colored armband, she also set an example for tolerance and diversity – or even once said that women could make it up to compete in the National Football League, for example. For.

“I know I probably could have done that. This could be a big, defining moment,” the United States world champion said in “NBC Sports” two years ago — and shared it, probably a kicker in the NFL. To serve as . “There’s no reason a woman shouldn’t be able to do this. Nothing scares me. The biggest challenge will be getting used to the big boys out there.”