“I’ve made the difficult decision to step away from soccer,” said Sydney Leroux just a couple of days ago, announcing her decision to take a permanent break from the beautiful game. Mental health, apparently, was the reason the Angel City veteran made this call. But it looks like this trend is not slowing down, as the latest player to make this decision in the NWSL is Racing Louisville star Bethany Balcer.
The 2025 campaign hasn’t even kicked off in full swing, with just a single matchweek completed. But who would have thought that dedicating yourself too much to the very thing you love could compel you to leave it? At 28, players are often considered past their prime but are still in a crucial phase to shape the final stages of their careers.
Yet, Balcer appears firm in her decision, sharing a lengthy message just hours ago in an Instagram post. “I have made the difficult but necessary decision to take some time away from soccer,” the striker begins. “I’ve always preached that when soccer is no longer fun, and you don’t find joy in doing it, something needs to change. And it seems I haven’t been listening to myself for a while.”
The Hudsonville, Michigan, native admitted that she has been feeling this way for the past year and a half. It’s almost as if the Louisville forward has gradually felt her identity slipping away, consumed by soccer and the demands of being a professional athlete. She described herself as chasing materialistic things, a pursuit that has left her feeling bitter and drained of all the “love and joy” she once had for the game.
“While that is a sad thing to admit, I’m excited to focus on Beth outside of soccer, because it’s more important than who Beth the soccer player is. In due time, I’m confident I’ll return to the field with a new passion and energy for doing something I love. Until then, I’m gonna keep doing my best, for me,” concluded Bethany.
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