Additi chauhan (photos AIFF) Additi Chauhan, the first Indian woman to play professional football in Europe, announced her retirement after a 17 -year career at the age of 32.The aim of the former Indian goalkeeper of the national team is to focus on developing better opportunities for future generations in football.“Thank you, football – for shaping me, tested me and transferred me. After 17 unforgettable years, I leave professional football with deep gratitude and pride,” additi wrote on Thursday in social media.Go beyond the border with our YouTube channel. Subscribe!“This game gave me more than my career; it gave me an identity. From the persecution of a dream in Delhi to carving my own trip to the UK, where I watched my master’s degree in sports proceedings and played for West Ham United – I passed the road without a clear map.“I never had to choose between education and passion. I fought hard to do both and the balance defined me.”The additi represented India 57 times and was part of the three winning teams for the SAFF championship in 2012, 2016 and 2019.“I put everything in the game – focus, my fire, my body – all in an effort for that jersey 1 for India. But behind the main events were quiet battles: fear of the unknown, pressure to justify that my journey is valid and persistent question of society -” How would you create living football? ““And then, injury. Return not once but twice from ACL injuries, I believe I have given an example to other players that one can overcome anything with mental courage. Pain, doubt, silence – it was a battle I had to win from the inside.”Her European journey included two seasons with West Ham before returning to India in 2018.Later she joined Keral FC Gokulam and won two titles of the Indian Female League in 2019-20 and 2021-22.“What I am most proud of as a professional athlete is consistency. During the 17 years I was constantly returning, through failures, injuries, through every doubt and gained time and again on site 1”“My parents stood by me, lifting me when I needed, pushing me when I relaxed a little. Everything I am, the things I was able to achieve were possible because of my mom who had just walked with me and I couldn’t thank God for giving her my mom.”In her last season she played for Sribhumi FC and helped the Kolkata team to secure third place in IWL.“Now that I go into life behind the playground, I carry this faith with me – not as a player, but as someone committed to building a stronger path and ecosystem for the next generation.“My other half is about returning to the game that gave me everything.“The formula remains the same: a big dream, believe in yourself and put in work.”
