Philippine Women’s National Football Team midfielder Ryley Bugay, 27, has announced her retirement from the sport.
The former Marquette University standout shared the development on her Instagram account and expressed her gratitude for the career she has had and the people who have supported her along the way.
“With a heavy heart, I announce my official retirement from soccer. It has taken me a while to process the past few months, and sometimes I still struggle to find the words to capture the journey. But for now, all I can say is thank you,” she said.
“Thank you to my teammates and coaches who pushed me to become the best verson of myself on and off the field. Your friendships have shaped who I am as a person and will last a lifetime.”
“Thank you to my friends and family; you mean the world to me. From driving me to practices to traveling across the globe to watch me play in person, I attribute my success to your support and sacrifices every step of the way,” she continued.
As a member of the Filipinas, Bugay was part of the team that brought the country to new heights under coach Alen Stajcic. She won a bronze medal in the 31st Southeast Asian Games and secured the gold medal in the 2022 AFF Women’s Championship on home soil.
She also participated in the Philippines’ campaign in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand. Stajcic brought her off the bench to participate in matches against the host nation New Zealand and Norway.
Bugay represented the country 23 times, starting from her debut back in 2018. It seems that she will now focus her time and energy on completing her medical degree at Indiana University School of Medicine-Evansville.
“To the Philippines Women’s National Team, thank you for giving me the opportunity to represent the country, for bringing me closer to my heritage, and for allowing me to live out a dream and play on the biggest stage possible,” she said.
“And finally, to the beautiful game, for giving me more than I could have ever dreamed. Let the next journey begin!”
