“It’s Bittersweet”: USWNT Star Carli Lloyd Reflects on Making Peace With Retirement

Soccer star Carli Lloyd recently announced that she plans to retire from the US Women’s National Team. However, setting aside the tears, she is enjoying her last moments with the team, before hanging her boots for good. 

Lloyd plays for New York Gotham FC in the National Women’s Soccer League and has been the driving force behind the USWNT for years now. Notably, she is also a 2-time Olympic gold medalist. 

Carli Lloyd looks forward to the next chapter of her life

While talking about her retirement, Lloyd best describes it as a ‘bittersweet’ feeling. However, she added that she now looks forward to the next chapter of her life.  

“It’s crazy to kinda get to this point, the tail end, where you are hanging up your boots and I am longer going to be doing something that I started doing when I was a little girl so it’s a little bittersweet but I am looking forward to kind of the next chapter,” she said.

After making more than 300 appearances for the National team, Lloyd has made peace with her retirement. Notably, the remarkable forward feels her life has come a full circle, after 16 years of dedicated work towards her career. 

Lloyd said, “I just feel like everything’s kind of come full circle and I feel very at peace and just content with everything that I’ve given over the last 16 years and just kind of soaking up these last remainder of the games that I have.”

Read more: USWNT Star Carli Lloyd Clarifies Her Words Against Tom Brady Over Retirement

The Tom Brady incident

Remarkably, Lloyd was the highest-paid female football player in March 2021. Notably, she also won the FIFA player of the year award, two years in a row.

Recently, Carli was compared to NFL legend, Tom Brady, who despite turning 44, has no plans of retiring. However, detailing the key difference between them, she revealed the reason behind her decision.

“Well, Tom Brady doesn’t have to have kids, that’s the one thing for starters! My husband, Brian, and I are eventually going to start a family so the clock’s kind of ticking on that,” she said. 

Lloyd also added how always traveling, staying away from home, and the pressure of staying on top can get tiring. Having already made the decision to call it quits, Lloyd is finally ready to start another chapter of her life and further prioritize her family. We wish her a happy retirement. 

Read more: USWNT Star Carli Lloyd Clarifies Her Words Against Tom Brady Over Retirement