A Sad Day For Dutch Football

Lieke Martens Announces Her Retirement From International Football

A Sad Day for Dutch Football

Lieke Martens retires from international football in June.

The 31-year-old, who has been a key player for the Netherlands for over a decade, made the announcement on Tuesday. Martens is one of the most decorated players in Dutch football history, having won the UEFA Women's Player of the Year Award in 2017 and the FIFA Women's Player of the Year Award in 2018. She has also helped the Netherlands to win the UEFA Women's Championship in 2017 and finish as runners-up at the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2019.

Martens' retirement is a major blow to the Netherlands, who are preparing for the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2023. However, the forward says that she is looking forward to a new chapter in her career and that she will continue to play for her club, Barcelona.

"It's a difficult decision, but it's one that I've made after a lot of thought and consideration," Martens said. "I'm proud of everything that I've achieved with the Netherlands, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to have represented my country.

"I'm still playing at a high level, and I'm excited to see what the future holds for me at Barcelona. I'm also looking forward to spending more time with my family and friends."