Nikkole Teja, a prominent figure in women’s soccer, has chosen to say goodbye to the exciting realm of sports.
Only six months ago, the 24-year-old, who has a remarkable 369,000 followers on social media, started posting various pictures on a platform that requires a subscription, all while managing her sports responsibilities. After leaving the Liga Femenina MX team Nexeca last summer, Teja quickly joined the Mexican team Club Puebla.
Although football has always been the main focus for the American athlete, her additional venture, where fans pay up to £14 a month for exclusive content and modeling sessions, has been quite successful. However, the idea of permanently quitting professional soccer had a significant impact 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.”