TAHNAI Annis is retiring from football after 16 years of playing professionally and with the Philippine national women’s team.
The 35-year-old Annis said goodbye to her fans and supporters on Sunday at a podcast hosted on Futbol Brew.
Annis felt that the the physical and mental challenges of playing football is catching up and taking its toll on her now that she’s older.
“It’s a big announcement. It’s something (I’ve been thinking) in the past months. I knew it was going to be a conversation,” said Annis.
An attacking midfielder for Úrvalsdeild kvenna club Þór/KA from 2012 to 2014 and in 2023, Annis was tapped to play for the national squad after seeing action for her college team, the Florida Gators.
She played for the Philippine women’s squad from 2018 to 2024.
“But I’m happy to be on this side of it and coming to that on my own terms. And seeing a bit of how that looks like, and how that’s been, for me in coming to that decision,” added Annis.
The Ohio-born Annis has been the skipperduring her time with Team Philippines.
She played her last two games for the Philippines in 2024 AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
“I don’t think it’s any secret on how old I am. I’m a much older footballer. I think, my body, my mind, and kinda, my spirit just came to a point that its all in alignment. And its time for me to step away,” said Annis.
