Lydia Williams: Matildas longest-serving player announces major decision after illustrious 19-year career with Australia team

Lydia Williams has announced her retirement from football, with the veteran goalkeeper hanging up her gloves after the Olympic Games. 

‘I’m officially retiring from international football post-Olympics in Paris,’ she told The Project.

‘I feel at peace with the decision. 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 has fallen in love with the Tillies.’

Williams, who has played in five World Cups and two Olympics during her 19-year international career, was part of the Matildas squad that won the hearts and minds of the nation during last year’s campaign on home soil. 

‘That was insane,’ she reflected on their journey to the semi-final. 

The Matildas goalkeeper has represented her country for 19 years

‘That was seeing a nation falling in love with the team. That was seeing the girls perform the way that they did and that was being a part of it, bringing a World Cup to Australia.’

Williams has long been an advocate for promoting the women’s game and said that the 2023 tournament was vindication for the group’s self-belief.  

‘We believe in ourselves so much as a group, as the Matildas. We’re almost at a “I told you so [stage]”, in a way.’

Williams was the face of the team’s 2015 pay dispute with Football Australia, in which the group went on strike. Their stance eventually led to an equal pay agreement, a seismic moment in Australian sport.  

‘I’m really passionate about advocacy and making sure whatever role you step into, you leave it in a better position, a better place. 

Williams played a crucial role in the introduction of equal pay in Australia

‘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.’

Williams also took a moment to reflect on the influence of her father, who championed her footballing pursuits but never saw her play for her country, having died before she made her debut in 2005.  

‘He’d be so proud. He would have been over the moon,’ Williams said.