Germany captain Nadine Angerer, who has played for Brisbane Roar for the past two Westfield W-League seasons, has announced she’ll retire from international football after 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.
Following the tournament, Angerer will play out the end of the National Women’s Soccer League season with Portland Thorns before hanging up her boots completely.
The announcement, made via a statement from the German Football Association (DFB), also means the end of Angerer’s stint in Australia where she’s been the most high-profile import in Westfield W-League history.
“I’m top fit and could play on at the highest level for two or three more years given my physical condition,” the 36-year-old said.
“I think it’s amazing still to be able to say, after almost 20 years in competitive sport, my body’s feeling really good.
“But it was also important for me to decide when I was going to call it a day and not to have the end of my career determined by an injury or for somebody else to decide for me.”
Brisbane Roar W-League Head Coach Belinda Wilson paid tribute to the veteran goalkeeper, praising the positive contribution Angerer made to the two-time Westfield W-League Champions both on and off the field.
“Nadine is a fantastic role model and a great leader for our game, it’s been an absolute privilege to coach her and get to know her as a person,” Wilson said.
“She will be missed – she brought laughter to each training session and in high pressure situations, she showed how to remain calm and help her teammates.
“The young players in our squad looked up to her and she lead by example, showing them what it means to go to that next level of training.
“Stewy (Kate Stewart) and Teagan (Micah) learnt a lot from her and in her time with us, Nadine inspired them to become better goalkeepers and to follow their dreams.”
Angerer has appeared 138 times for her country since debuting in 1996 and has won two FIFA World Cups and four UEFA European Championships. She’s worn the captain’s armband for Germany for the past four years.
In January 2013, Angerer became the first goalkeeper – male or female – to win the FIFA Ballon d’Or, the most prestigious individual award in world football.
Germany has been drawn in Group B for next month’s FIFA World Cup campaign with Cote D’Ivoire, Norway and Thailand, opening their campaign against Les Elephantes on 7 June in Ottawa.
Brisbane Roar fans will be able to watch all matches at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup with SBS announcing this week ALL matches will be broadcast live, free and exclusive on SBS ONE, SBS HD and online. The only exceptions on air are the concurrent group stage matches, which will be streamed live online at www.sbs.com.au/theworldgame.
