New Zealand international striker Hannah Wilkinson has announced her retirement from football after a 14-year career that included four FIFA Women’s World Cup campaigns.
Wilkinson (32) says she leaves the game with “some sadness” but also with clarity and relief.
The 125-cap Football Fern has been without a club since the expiry of her contract with Melbourne City at the end of the last women’s A-League season.
READ MORE: Ferns striker Hannah Wilkinson to leave A-League club Melbourne City >>>>
She also missed going to her fourth Olympic Games when left out of the Ferns squad for the Paris tournament.
Main photo: Hannah Wilkinson turns to celebrate her most famous goal, against Norway in the opening game at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup at Auckland’s Eden Park. Photo: Andrew Cornega / Phototek.
In a post to her Instagram channel, Wilkinson said:
“It is with some sadness, but with great clarity and relief, to announce my retirement from the beautiful game.
“It’s not exactly the way I wanted to go out. I expected to wear the Fern for the final time at the Olympic Games in Paris, hoping to help redeem our disappointing early Women’s World Cup exit last year.
“Blood, sweat, tears, puke (food poisoning at the qualifiers and pure grit to really make this a good, final one.
“Instead, I found myself on an impromptu French holiday, thankfully with family, and thankfully with many Aperol Spritzes.
“In professional sport, there is only so much you can control. An opinion, sometimes without rational explanation, happens.
“That opinion doesn’t define me. I did let it for a little bit. That was a dark space.
“However, with time, I recognised what a fallacy that is. 14 years representing Aotearoa, 3 Olympic Games, 4 World Cups, and playing careers in the US, Sweden, Portugal, Germany and Australia.
“So many goals with so many celebrations. Medals, trophies, achievements, personal and team. That is what defines me.
“Football shaped me into everything that I am, and gave me more opportunity, and more connections, than I could ever dream of.
“Thank you, football, thank you to coaches who developed me and saw me, and an even bigger thank you to all my support over the years.
“I gave it everything, and it was an epic ride.
“I am so excited for the next stage. The boots are hung up, but the canvases, the walls, are out and ready. I’ve never felt more alive in my creative space, and I’m so amped to see what manifests.
“Much love to you all, Wilky #17″
This story was first published on October 16, 2024.
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