Magdalena Eriksson announces her retirement from the Swedish national team and talks about the most difficult decision of her career.
Magdalena Eriksson has taken a step that was noticeably difficult for her: the FC Bayern defender is ending her career in the Swedish national team. After 123 international matches, it’s over – for health reasons.
„It’s the most difficult decision I’ve made in my career,“ the 32-year-old explained in an official statement. Eriksson emphasized that she took this step after much deliberation: „I had to listen to my body and take care of my health.“
Eriksson’s impressive career with the national team
The central defender has been one of the most influential figures in Swedish women’s soccer over the past decade, winning Olympic silver twice with Sweden (2016 and 2021) and also finishing third at the World Cup twice (2019 and 2023).
At Euro 2025, she was knocked out in the quarter-finals against eventual European champions England – a bitter moment that also marked the end of an impressive national team career.
National coach Tony Gustavsson paid tribute to the Bayern player’s performance with emotional words: „She was one of our most important players for a long time, and her professionalism, courage and heart had a huge impact on the national team.“
Eriksson will now concentrate fully on her duties at FC Bayern, but she will remain a central figure for the Munich side – both on and off the pitch.
The Bayern women next have to face Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Women’s Champions League next Thursday, followed by the Bundesliga clash at TSG Hoffenheim on Sunday and then the next away game at Eintracht Frankfurt.