Matildas striker Michelle Heyman has quit the national team after a series of injuries took its toll and cost her a shot at a spot at France 2019.
The 30 year old has more than 60 caps for her country and found the net 20 times in green and gold, but admitted today that she's at the end of the road for her international career.
"I really wanted to fight for that, but my body isn't going to allow me to do that – my mind isn't going to allow me to do that," she told Fox Sports today.
"I am officially retiring from the Westfield Matildas."
Heyman has played for four different W-League sides – including Adelaide United last season – but she made her biggest impact during her eight year spell at Canberra United, scoring 56 goals from 93 games between 2010 and 2018.
She won the Golden Boot twice, two Championships and three Premierships
But she also revealed today she managed all that while suffering clinical anxiety.
"I've had an amazing career and I've enjoyed every experience that I've been able to have with the Matildas, and it's been one hell of a ride," she said today.
"My road to becoming a Matilda was definitely a little bit different from everyone else, the only Matilda to never play as a Young Matilda.
'My body can't take it anymore'
— FOX Sports Football (@FOXFOOTBALL) May 30, 2019
In an exclusive with Fox Sports, @Mheyman23 talks retirement, @TheMatildas and even Alen Stajcic. pic.twitter.com/8Rm68pd36m
"I was playing for Central Coast Mariners at the time. The first I heard about being selected for Matildas camp was at the W-League awards back in the day when Tom Sermanni was the coach.
"He came up to me after the awards and offered me his email and phone number and said that he'll get in contact with me.
"I called my mom straight away after the awards and was just like, so this man Tom Sermanni gave me his details, not knowing who he was. And that's where my journey all started from..."
But she added: "During my time at the Matildas, I suffered a lot from anxiety, I really didn't understand what was going on.
"I would try and go to bed but couldn't, couldn't sleep, and then start panicking about my breathing and actually have a couple of panic attacks most nights, which was a big struggle.
"I had no idea what it was."
The anxiety wasn't helped when Alen Stajcic took over the Matildas – the same coach who had dropped her from Sydney FC after three games earlier in her career.
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