"The time had come to take a different path"
After winning the Champions League with 1. FFC Frankfurt and playing at the 2015 Women's World Cup in Canada, Celia Sasic calledd time on her career - at the age of 27.
It's not easy to find the right time to end your career. I didn't make my decision overnight; it was the result of a lengthy process. It started with a feeling I had,a feeling that said the time might have come to take a different path and take on challenges away from football.
I observed how that feeling developed over subsequent weeks and only discussed it with a select few people.Obviously I told my husband, because the decision would affect him too in the long-term, and I also spoke with my family, my closest friends and my agent.
It was only after the FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada that I made my final decision. During the tournament it didn't even cross my mind that the next game could be my last. During the competition you're so focused that there's no time to think about anything else. It was only afterwards with a clear head again that I could think about my future.
I'm really looking forward to starting a new chapter, which will include finishing my studies and starting a family. In the USA it's not uncommon for female players to take at least a year out to have a babby and then continue their careers. In Germany the professional game still lacks the right kind of environment and financial support to be able to do that.
Over the summer I enjoyed beiing able to organise my time summer I enjoyed being able to organise my time by myselfd again, without having to take training times or matches into account. Nevertheless, football will always play an important role in my life. In my view it will always be the best sport in the world. At the start of the Bundesliga season I was at the stadium in Frankfurt. I was rooting for my former team-mates because I knew exactly how they were feeling out on the pitch and how much effort they put in. I didn't feel melancholic; instead I was happy to be there as a spectator. That tells me I made the right decision.
I experienced so many wonderful moments throughout my career. I played at major tournaments and won titles, such as the 2009 and 2013 European Chapionships and the Champions League last season. There have been awards, like being voted Best Player in Europe recently. There were also smaller moments that brought great joy, such as fighting back from 3-0 down to win a game. I'm grateful for all of that and will always enjoy lookig back on those things. And who knows, I could well imagine returning to football one day, in whatever capacity that may be.
Exclusive,
Celia Sasic was speaking to Annette Braun