By Genevieve Henry 3/11/2023
Above: Christiane Endler in action Photo: Christiane Endler Instagram.
After qualifying for the Final of the Pan American Games, legendary Chilean goalkeeper Christiane Endler announced her retirement from international football. Genevieve Henry looks at her career and impact on the game.
The Chilean Women’s National team, known affectionately as “La Roja” had a successful night, beating the United States U-20 team (they elected to send the youth team instead of the senior due to NWSL playoffs), but it was ultimately a disappointing occasion. La Roja will be facing Mexico for glory without their stalwart shot-stopper to save them. Endler is not playing in the final due to being recalled by her club, Olympique Lyonnais.
Since she was 18, Endler has been a mainstay with La Roja. For a goalkeeper, that is an incredible achievement. After impressing in the youth national team from 2008-2009, Endler began her career as a footballer with the reputation to pull off impossible saves.
The 32 year-old made 104 appearances for her country, and many of those were spectacularly remarkable. Endler is a phenomenon, able to almost single-handedly keep her side in games and propel them to higher levels. Although they were rarely able to secure points at a high level, their goal difference was always fairly good.
Throughout a tumultuous time for Chilean women’s football, Endler not only played in horrendous conditions, but fought for her teammates and women’s football as a whole. With corrupt coaches, teenage boys as training partners, and little to no information about their careers, Endler and the Chilean team fought on. She played a big part in creating the union that ultimately allowed them to return to competition.
Things got better throughout her time, with Endler captaining her country to a second place finish at the 2018 Copa América Feminina and subsequently securing qualification for their first ever Women’s World Cup. Then, she began her rise to the top.
Drawn in a tough group, with the USA, Sweden, and Thailand, Endler was destined to have quite a bit of work to do. Although she only managed one clean sheet, Endler put in the performances of a lifetime against Sweden and the USA. But, even with narrowly missing out on the round of sixteen, Endler gained massive recognition. After another tough qualification path, she managed to once again bring her country to a major tournament. Endler captained her side at the 2021 Olympics, proving that she was a major reason for her country’s success.
Throughout her career, Endler became highly appreciated at club level in France with both Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Lyonnais. She is a three-time Division One champion as well as a UEFA Women’s Champions League winner with Lyon. But, her club career isn’t over just yet and she will surely continue to rise and grow.
Endler’s career is littered with recognition for her skills for both club and country. The nine-time Chilean Footballer of the Year was named The Best FIFA Goalkeeper in 2021, as well as coming second three times. She is a Zamora Trophy winner, for letting in the fewest goals during her time in Spain with Valencia, as well as winning countless goalkeeper of the season awards in France with both PSG and Lyon. She was even named in the UWCL Squad of the Season for three years straight, from 2019-2020, 2020-21, and 2021-22. While her recognition for her work with Chile was admittedly less, her impact could not be described with simple trophies and awards.
Though her time with Chile has come to an end, she will be remembered for much more than her supreme shot-stopping skills. Endler’s legacy is one of leadership and advocacy. Chilean football would not have come this far without Christiane Endler, and it certainly won’t be the same without her.
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