Footballer Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir has decided to retire from the women’s national football team. Sara Björk, who’s served as captain for nearly a decade, made the announcement on social media this morning.
The only Icelander to have scored in a Champion’s League Final
In a post on her Instagram page this morning, footballer Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir announced that she was retiring from the women’s national football team.
As noted by Vísir, Sara Björk has played for the national team for sixteen years and holds the record for most games (145); she played her first match with the national team against Slovenia in August of 2007 – when she had yet to celebrate her seventeenth birthday.
Read More: Iceland Review Profiles Sara Björk in 2021
Sara Björk took over the captain’s armband from Katrín Jónsdóttir almost a decade ago and is the only Icelander to have scored in a Champion’s League final – and the only Icelandic woman to have lifted the trophy.
Sara Björk is a four-time Swedish league and cup champion with FC Rosengård (formerly FC Malmö), a four-time German league and cup champion with FC Wolfsburg, and Iceland’s Athlete of the Year in 2018 and 2020 (the only woman to have won twice).
“A hell of a journey”
Sara does not cite a specific reason why she has decided to leave the national team but states that it has been “an absolute pleasure and an honour.” “But I know, at this point in my career, that it’s time to say goodbye. It’s been a hell of a journey!”
Sara, who has participated in all four European competitions with the Icelandic national team, concluded her announcement by thanking the Icelandic Football Association (ÍSÍ) for their cooperation and by wishing the association and the women’s national team “a bright future.”
The announcement in full:
“After 16 years playing for my country I have decided to stop. For me it’s been an absolute pleasure and honor but I know at this point in my career it’s time to say goodbye. It’s been a hell of a journey! I have always been very proud putting on the blue jersey from day one. Being part of the team that qualified first time in in history for the women’s euros in 2009 and taking part in four women’s euros tournaments is something I’m very proud of! I want to thanks KSÍ , all the coaches, staff members , players and volunteers that shared this journey with me, along with all those great memories during my time!”
