Photo credit: Inna Kristianne Palacios/Instagram
MANILA – Longtime Filipinas goalkeeper Inna Palacios had a golden ending after nearly two decades with the national team.
After 18 years with the Philippine National Women's Football Team, Palacios announced she is hanging up her gloves.
The veteran goalkeeper made the announcement hours before the Filipinas dethroned four-time champions Vietnam on penalties, 6-5, in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games.
Getting the SEA Games gold, the country's first in women's football, was the most fitting ending and a dream come true for Palacios.
"[It's a] full circle moment for me, I think. SEA Games was when I started to dream. And it just took me 18 years to get the gold. But I think for me it's, it's sad that I have to leave the team. But I think I've done everything I can as a player, and I've dreamed a lot for the team. I've given so much for the team, and I'd want to see them dream for that," Palacios told POC Media.
READ: Filipinas dethrone Vietnam for first-ever SEA Games gold
The 31-year-old's career spanned 18 years both on the junior and senior levels with 51 caps and 18 clean sheets to her name.
Palacios was part of a lot of milestones and breakthroughs of the Filipinas, including the inaugural FIFA World Cup appearance and 2022 AFF Women's Championship, to back when they did not have the same support they are experiencing now.
She said her decision was not done on a whim, but she felt more settled when she realized she's done all she could for the team
"A few months ago, but then I wanted it to be the right time. And for some reason I always say this, I don't know when or how, but in my heart knew SEA Games would be the last. I knew in my heart na ginawa ko lahat para sa team," Palacios explained.
"As a player, I’ve done everything, I’ve given everything, and I just wanted it to end on a good note. For the team to give me that, and for me to experience this, I couldn't ask for any better, ending from my national team career," she said.
READ: Golden girls: Filipina athletes deliver breakthrough SEA Games golds
Palacios admitted she initially was hesitant to announce her retirement before their historic gold medal match, but she felt in her heart it would provide an extra push for the team.
"I just felt like in my gut, my intuition, na if I did announce it, it would have been an extra boost for everyone to dig deep, because it's much bigger than ourselves. It's a reason why," Palacios said.
"For them to dig deep and show that in two penalty shootouts, two extra times, losing our first game, working our way back, it was, for me, character. That’s something they’ll hold onto forever. That’s exactly the lesson I’ve wanted to leave them," she added.
Palacios has seen lesser time on the pitch, following injuries and the entry of Olivia McDaniel to the squad.
For her part, McDaniel gives credit to Palacios and what she's done for the team, being one of the pillars that kept them solid throughout the years.
"I will never speak any ill of her because she has been my rock. Ever since I stepped into this team, ever since I stepped into my role, she has always been the team first, pushing me to be my best, pushing each other to be our best," she said.
"The mindset was always the best 11 on the field. And she has just been so special and just such an icon to this team. And she built this team. She is the one that got us to where we are," McDaniel added.
When asked what legacy she would want to leave, the homegrown football player said it's more than just about the awards and achievements.
"I just believe, so I just want them to know that whatever they put their heads and their minds and their hearts into something, it's something that they can achieve," she said.
After the nearly two decades long wait for a golden triumph, Palacios is glad she stayed even when it became difficult because the end proved to be worth it.
"[I'm] just a person that loves deeply, a person that chooses love and passion, even if it's hard, and someone that believes. When you love something, love it with all your heart, because when you do, good things will happen back. It may take time, but 18 years, I can tell you it's worth it," she said.
"I think my main lesson is I want them to know that anything that they want to achieve, they can achieve, because I've seen it. I've experienced it, and that's the true heart of a Filipino. Who does this? Who ends their career with a gold?" Palacios added.