Nadine Angerer will retire from international duty after this summer’s World Cup, which takes place in Canada (6th June-5th July). The 36-year-old will play on up to an including any possible play-offs that her Portland Thorns side will participate before retiring from professional football once her contract runs out.
Angerer explained: “I’m still fit and could probably play on for another couple of years. It’s great that my body is still in a fantastic condition after 20 years of playing sport at the highest level. I thought it was important to end my career on my own terms rather than as a result of an injury or someone making the decision for me. I thought long and hard about it.”
International debut August 1996
Angerer made her debut for the Germany senior team on 27th August 1996 against the Netherlands and has made 138 appearances for them. She has won the World Cup twice and the European Championship on four occasions. She was named captain in September 2011.
She went on to add: “My decision is final and I wanted to make it known ahead of the World Cup. It shouldn’t influence the performances of myself or my team mates during the upcoming World Cup – if it does it should be a positive one.”
Angerer was named World Footballer of the Year in 2013 and is likely to gain her coaching qualifications in the coming years.
Neid: "Natze is a special person"
After hearing the news, Germany head coach Silvia Neid said, “Natze is an incredible player and a special person. She was and remains a person I have a lot of faith in. I think it’s a shame that she won’t be playing after the World Cup, but I fully respect her decision. She’s an important part of our team – she’s a leader and offers a great example to our younger players. I’m certain that she is fully motivated for the upcoming tournament.”
Nadine Angerer will retire from international duty after this summer’s World Cup, which takes place in Canada (6th June-5th July). The 36-year-old will play on up to an including any possible play-offs that her Portland Thorns side will participate before retiring from professional football once her contract runs out.
Angerer explained: “I’m still fit and could probably play on for another couple of years. It’s great that my body is still in a fantastic condition after 20 years of playing sport at the highest level. I thought it was important to end my career on my own terms rather than as a result of an injury or someone making the decision for me. I thought long and hard about it.”
International debut August 1996
Angerer made her debut for the Germany senior team on 27th August 1996 against the Netherlands and has made 138 appearances for them. She has won the World Cup twice and the European Championship on four occasions. She was named captain in September 2011.
She went on to add: “My decision is final and I wanted to make it known ahead of the World Cup. It shouldn’t influence the performances of myself or my team mates during the upcoming World Cup – if it does it should be a positive one.”
Angerer was named World Footballer of the Year in 2013 and is likely to gain her coaching qualifications in the coming years.
Neid: "Natze is a special person"
After hearing the news, Germany head coach Silvia Neid said, “Natze is an incredible player and a special person. She was and remains a person I have a lot of faith in. I think it’s a shame that she won’t be playing after the World Cup, but I fully respect her decision. She’s an important part of our team – she’s a leader and offers a great example to our younger players. I’m certain that she is fully motivated for the upcoming tournament.”
