Melbourne Victory star Beattie Goad has hinted on social media that she could be set to retire in the coming weeks. The news has not been confirmed formally by player or club.
Ahead of Melbourne Victory’s Round 6 clash with Wellington Phoenix at the Home of the Matildas, Beattie Goad took to social media to share a message to Victory fans:
“Last home game ever for me (for real)…. Come and support us tonight at HoM (Home of the Matildas)”
The message seemed to hint at the imminent end of the three-cap CommBank Matilda’s time at Melbourne Victory – a development not yet officially confirmed by the 27-year-old or her Ninja A-League club.
But on this week’s episode of Dub Zone, Goad’s future was a hot topic of conversation as Ninja A-League commentator Teo Pellizzeri and A-Leagues great Teresa Polias discussed the possibility of the midfielder calling time on her football career after Victory’s final two games of 2024 to focus on a career in medicine.
“Victory still hasn’t made a formal statement on this,” Pellizzeri said.
“But all the fan podcasts, all the actual fans that go to the grounds, this has become a worst-kept secret.
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“Victory has let the narrative escape them on this… Beattie Goad we know has been juggling a medical degree and is getting further and further towards PhD genius-level status with the amount of study she’s committed to do. And unfortunately, it looks like (Goad has) two more games – Canberra away and Sydney away.
“We can’t formally say it’s the case but it’s the talk of all the non-legacy media and it’s probably a matter of time until Victory confirms it.”
“She’s posted it on her own page,” Polias added. “It will be sad to see a player like her go because she’s added so much to the league over many, many years. But a career like that is pretty amazing, too.”
Goad has made 65 appearances in her Ninja A-League career across stints at Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City. A Grand Finalist at 16 years of age, Goad has won Ninja A-League Championships at both clubs and has represented her country on three occasions.
Should she call time on her club career at the end of 2024, Goad will play just twice more for Victory against Canberra United on December 21 and Sydney FC on December 28.
“I’m thrilled she got three caps, to be a part of the Matildas,” Pellizzeri said.
“She played in a Grand Final as a 16-year-old, she won Championships with both Victory and City, went to Stanford, played in Spain and in Germany, and three caps – and she’s crammed it all in by the age of 27 – it’s pretty good!”
Melbourne Victory take on Canberra United this Saturday at McKellar Park. Get your tickets now.
