‘I can’t keep living like this’: Ali Riley on ending her stellar soccer career

In this article, Ali Riley, the 37-year-old captain of the New Zealand national soccer team, discusses her decision to retire from professional soccer at the end of the current season. Riley, a veteran of five World Cup campaigns, has had a remarkable career, earning 163 international caps and playing for clubs like Rosengård, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea. The article highlights the personal challenges Riley has faced over the past year, including undergoing IVF, losing her childhood home in the Los Angeles wildfires, and getting married, all while recovering from a chronic nerve injury. Despite these challenges, Riley has remained dedicated to her sport and is poised to have her farewell match at her hometown club, Angel City, on Sunday. The article also touches on Riley's early inspiration, witnessing Brandi Chastain's iconic World Cup-winning penalty in 1999, which sparked her desire to become a strong, celebrated female athlete. Overall, the article provides a glimpse into the personal and professional life of a renowned soccer player as she prepares to retire from the game.