Germany goalkeeper Angerer's retirement plan
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
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"It was important that I was the one who decided when my time was up," said 36-year-old Nadine Angerer, who will retire after this summer's FIFA Women's World Cup.
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Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer will end international career after the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, with the 36-year-old – currently playing for Portland Thorns in the United States – set to hang up her boots completely in the autumn.
"My decision is final, which is why I decided to announce it before the World Cup, so everyone knows what is going on," said the 138-times capped Angerer, Germany's captain since 2011 and winner of five UEFA Women's European Championships and two World Cups. "This will not have any impact on my – or the team's – performance at the World Cup; if anything, it will be positive.
"I am absolutely fit and could play for another two, three years at the highest level," Angerer explained. "It is great to be able to say that my body is fine after almost 20 years of top-level sport. It was important that I was the one who decided when my time was up, and not an injury or someone else making that decision for me."
Germany coach Silvia Neid added: "'Natze' is an extraordinary player and a special person. She was and is a person I trust. I am sorry that she will retire after the World Cup, but I understand her decision. She is extremely important for the team – a leader and a great captain who understands how to integrate younger players in her own special way."
