Women’s soccer luminary Nikkole Teja has opted to bid farewell to the captivating world of football.
Just half a year ago, the 24-year-old, who commands a staggering 369,000 followers on social media, commenced sharing diverse images on a subscription-based platform while balancing her athletic commitments. Following her departure from the Liga Femenina MX side Nexeca last summer, Teja swiftly joined Mexican outfit Club Puebla.
While football had always taken precedence for the American athlete, her side endeavor, where fans shell out up to £14 monthly for exclusive content and modeling sessions, has proven remarkably prosperous. Yet, the notion of permanently departing from professional soccer weighed heavily on her emotions.
In a social media declaration, she formally announced her retirement, expressing, “I have made the by no means easy decision to retire from professional soccer. If I only live this one life, I am very happy to have gotten to know and love football.”
She continued, “Should there be life beyond this, I aspire to reconnect with football and sense its reciprocated affection.” Opportunities to showcase her talent were sparse during her tenure at the Mexico City-based club.
In alluding to her former team, Teja subtly expressed her sentiments. She remarked, “If there is life after that, I hope to come into contact with football again and feel that football loves me too.”
“Many thanks to Club Puebla for this opportunity, which, although short, was quite fun. I arrived in this country alone, at the age of 18, without knowing anyone and without speaking the language.
“But I always had the dream of playing football. I don’t have to prove anything to anyone but myself. I know what I am worth as a player, a daughter, a friend and most of all as a person.”
“I will not regret my departure. But I will regret the experiences I had to go through.” Her club, too, issued a statement, acknowledging her decision to pursue fresh endeavors beyond the field.
Their statement conveyed, “Club Puebla Feminil reports that Nikkole Teja has decided to undertake personal projects independent of soccer, so it causes withdrawal from our squad. We appreciate your professionalism in the time you were within the institution and wish you success in whatever comes.”