After her historic first Olympic Games at 36, Aivi Luik is calling time on her national duties with the Matildas.
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Luik has more than 30 caps under her belt for the Australian side, with her Matildas career spanning 11 years.
Despite appearing in three of Australia's games during their historic Olympic campaign, she announced her retirement on Thursday morning.
She said she wished she could thank everyone for their support along the way but she gave a special thank you to her brother Lee.
"Without him and all the countless days of playing football together in the streets, in the backyard, on the driveway, in the park or at the beach, I wouldn't be where I am today. I guess I'll actually have to start reading those Matildas alumni emails now," she joked in her Instagram post.
"I couldn't have asked for much more than to end it with an Olympic Games, but even more than that, to end it together with one of my best friends Laura Alleway.
"From my first game, to my last, and everything in between, this 11-year journey has taken me around the world, taught me so much and gifted me with friends and memories for life."
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Luik made her debut with the side at 24 in a friendly against New Zealand, back in February 2010. She helped the side to its historic AFC Women's Asian Cup win later in the year.
Her career outside the national team has taken her to the University of Nevada, Reno, W-League championships with Brisbane Roar and Melbourne City, an Elitedivisionen win with Denmark side Brondby IF and a Norwegian Women's Cup win with Valerenga. Along with stints in Spain, Iceland and England's FA WSL.
Luik said although she was retiring from the Matildas, she may have at least one more W-League campaign in her sights with City.
The Perth-born player was flooded with congratulations from former teammates after the announcement, including Canberran Michelle Heyman.
"Congratulations my Bella on a fantastic international career," Heyman's post read.
"I'm so grateful we got to share the field a number of times. I'm so proud of you!"
Isobel Cootes
Sports reporter at The Canberra Times. A Novocastrian with a passion for football (or soccer as they call it in the capital) via The Examiner and The Port Lincoln Times.
Sports reporter at The Canberra Times. A Novocastrian with a passion for football (or soccer as they call it in the capital) via The Examiner and The Port Lincoln Times.
