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2w ago

Lieke Martens Retires From Club Football at 32

She cites new motherhood as the reason for stepping away despite offers to continue.

Soccer Football - Women's Euro 2025 Qualifier - Netherlands v Finland - Sparta Stadion, Rotterdam, Netherlands - May 31, 2024 Netherlands's Lieke Martens reacts after playing her last home international match REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw
Soccer Football - Women's Euro 2025 Qualifier - Netherlands v Finland - Sparta Stadion, Rotterdam, Netherlands - May 31, 2024 Netherlands's Lieke Martens with her husband Benjamin van Leer after playing her last home international match REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw
Spain v Netherlands: UEFA Women's Nations League 2024 Semi-final
Soccer Football - Women's Euro 2025 Qualifier - Netherlands v Finland - Sparta Stadion, Rotterdam, Netherlands - May 31, 2024 Netherlands's Lieke Martens with teammates after playing her last home international match REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw

Overview

  • The Netherlands forward announced her decision on Instagram on Sept. 1, 2025.
  • She said she had several opportunities to keep playing but chose to prioritize being a mother to her child Lowen, born in February.
  • Her club career concludes after her Paris Saint‑Germain contract expired following the 2024–25 season.
  • She won the 2021 UEFA Women’s Champions League with Barcelona and was voted the IFA WFIFA Women’s Player in 2017.
  • Internationally, she made 160 appearances for the Netherlands and captured the Euro 2017 title before retiring from the national team last year.