Ifeoma Onumonu retires from football at 31

Ifeoma Onumonu, Super Falcons of Nigeria international, has announced her retirement from football.

The 31-year-old football star broke the news on Saturday in a farewell message on her Instagram page.

Onumonu draws curtains on a career that spanned 12 years — four as a collegiate player and eight as a professional.

In the post, the Montpellier forward, who got her first call-up to the Super Falcons in 2021, recounted her early football days in the United States.

“It is with a heart full of gratitude that I bid farewell to my playing career on the pitch,” she wrote.

“I started playing football when I was eight years old, on a team called the Magic. We played in white, black, and green jerseys at the AYSO fields near my house.

“I remember how vast I thought the field was. I don’t remember if I played an actual position or I even passed the ball.

“Now, 22 years later, I feel I have reached a natural conclusion to that discovery.”

 

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A post shared by Ifeoma Onumonu (O.O.N) (@ify_22)

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Born in California to Nigerian parents, Onumonu looked back on a career that included her participation in the 2023 World Cup, 2024 Olympics, and lifting a record 10th WAFCON title with the Super Falcons earlier this year.

She also revealed plans to explore opportunities within football.

“This is not a goodbye to football, but a new beginning. I am excited to explore opportunities off the pitch, using the skills and lessons learned from my time on it,” she added.

“Thank you to all the staff, teammates, coaches, doctors, fans, and my incredible friends and family for your unwavering support through the years.

“Although my time as a player has come to an end, my love and devotion for this game will never waver.

“Thank you for everything.”

Onumonu played 32 times for the Super Falcons, scoring five goals.

She wrote her name in the history books as the first Super Falcons player to score for Nigeria against France, and became the first Nigerian female footballer to join Montpellier HSC, signing for the French Première Ligue club in 2024.