Canadian goalkeeper Labbe gets emotional send-off on home soil

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After 46 minutes, a 14-year career came to an end for a Canadian icon.

The Minister of Defence had officially resigned.

Stephanie Labbé, goalkeeper for Canada’s national women’s soccer team, walked off the field one final time during Friday’s friendly against Nigeria. She was subbed off just after the start of the second half in a 2-0 win for the Canadians.

With over 20,000 fans at B.C. Place in Vancouver on their feet, Labbé, sporting her trademark pink headband, slowly made her way to the touchline. She saluted the crowd as she walked across the pitch, placing her hands over her heart and the Canadian crest.

With tears visible in her eyes, she hugged her replacement, Kailen Sheridan, along with head coach Bev Priestman, as she said goodbye to her time with the Canadian national team.

“It was emotional. It was exciting. It was just all the emotions together,” Labbé, 35, said after the match. “What a moment to be able to do that in front of a Canadian crowd, with my friends and family there.”

After the final whistle, the Canadian players gathered on the field to honour Labbé. As she shared hugs (and a few dance moves) with her teammates, a video tribute played on the big screen, and Labbé was joined by her friends and family, including her fiancée, Georgia Simmerling.

When Labbé reflected on the match in her post-game media conference, her voice started to shake with emotion. “Oh, here we go,” she joked. “I’ve done so well.

“I feel very fortunate that I've had this opportunity. I know not every player gets this chance. I feel very fortunate to be able to celebrate this moment with everyone that's close to me, in a country that’s supported me so much,” she said.

As special as the occasion was, Labbé did