Then it came, the day when No. 17, Caroline Seger, told us that she is ending her national team career. There were 240 international matches. 241, if she plays against Spain on Tuesday. By far the most in Swedish football history. And she is the only one in blue and yellow to have played in five World Cups. As a reporter, I had to follow her on the spot during all of them.
When Caroline Seger received the Diamond Ball after the WC 2019, for the second time, she, as so often, lifted the team before herself. And that perhaps the nicest thing was that the national team have now become idols for a whole generation of both boys and girls. It went straight to the heart when she also said:
I know there are hopes that I will give a fiery speech. Putting my foot down and using my platform in the best possible way. But for once, I’m just going to enjoy and let this be soccer player Caroline Seger’s moment.
Since her national team debut in 2005, Caroline Seger has grown as a leader, both on and off the pitch. She has become one of football’s biggest role models. With one hundred percent passion and inclusive core values, she has really made a difference. Now and for all who come after.
We have constantly seen her pep her teammates up. Even in own adversity, like after the missed penalty in the Olympic final.
– I want them to feel that way, that they should talk in those terms, because then it means that I have done my job correctly, Seger said in our last World Cup talk.
And so clearly the team showed their appreciation when they made sure she was the first to step onto the WC podium in Australia to receive the bronze medals. Although she herself did not play then, this year of setbacks with injuries.
S as in pride. I hope that she will now take that with her after all the faithful and wholehearted years in the service of football. On and off the field. S as in Victory. Caroline Victory. Sweden’s greatest national team player.
“Take care of your time” – she has shown those words of life in action. May Swedish football now take care of her.
See SVT’s meeting with Seger from October in Play.