Whether or not the Philippine women’s national football team wins the gold medal in 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, goalkeeper Inna Palacios will be hanging up her boots after the match. 

The 31-year-old made the announcement hours before their championship match against Vietnam, which was taking place at the Chonburi Stadium in Thailand at press time.

Palacios will play her 52nd match with the Filipinas. 

“Ending 18 years with the national team tonight. One thing I’ll tell ya, this match is worth the wait,” Palacios said.

Joining the national team since 2012, Palacios has been through thick and thin.

The De La Salle University alumnus won a bronze medal in the 31st SEA Games in Hanoi back in 2022. 

In the same year, she won the AFF Women’s Championship in Manila.

She was also part of the squad that qualified in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand. 

Outside the playing venue, Palacios is also active.

She was also elected into the Philippine Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission in 2024 where she joins the likes of Nesthy Petecio of boxing and Ernest John Obiena of pole vault.                                                                  I. S.