Last weekend's farewell to the home crowd in Malmö was perhaps more emotional. Saturday's was even more definitive.
When the referee blew the final whistle at Stockholm Stadium, it marked the end of Rosengård's season – and the end of Caroline Seger's life as a football player.
I checked the clock when it was 88 minutes and thought "Good God, do I have so little left of my career?", says Seger, who ends with 236 Damallsvenskan matches, after the 3–0 win against Djurgården.
I've played football for almost 34 years. I can't really understand that I won't be playing football anymore.
Emotional Meeting
The autumn chill bit into cheeks and fingertips, but the standing ovation before the match warmed the midfielder veteran's heart.
In the stands, fans, parents, and friends gathered to bid farewell to the 39-year-old. After the match, they saw Rosengård players put on gold hats and Seger lift the Championship trophy in the air.
Then, Rosengård's captain quickly made her way through the crowd to hug her parents, and then Marika Domanski Lyfors.
The long-time national team coach has followed Seger throughout her entire career – where no Swede is close to Seger's 240 A-international matches. Earlier this year, it was announced that Domanski Lyfors had been diagnosed with an incurable brain tumor.
Marika has been with me since I started in the national team in 2005. I'm so glad she's here. She means so much to me. And my parents have followed me through thick and thin, they mean everything.
Future in Football?
The debut in Damallsvenskan took place in Stattena in 2003. But when she tries to describe what has happened to Swedish women's football since her debut, it's difficult. In an interview with Dagens Nyheter the other day, Seger said she doesn't remember, and that there is hardly any image or video material from that time.
— You would have wanted to sit and watch when you look back to see the development of football. So it's a bit sad. But there will be much more for the next woman who quits after holding on for so long.
She ends with a seventh Championship gold after a year where a reborn Seger dominated on the midfield and Rosengård was completely superior. The team won 25 matches – 23 in a row – and lost only one.
Caroline Seger has done her part as a player.
But to leave football entirely? Doubtful.
It's still where I have my absolute greatest knowledge.. So I hope someone takes advantage of that.
Born: March 19, 1985, in Gantofta (39 years old).
Position: Central midfielder.
Club: Rosengård.
Home club: Gantofta IF.
Senior clubs: Stattena 2001–2004, Linköping 2005–2009, Philadelphia 2010, Western New York Flash 2011, Ldb FC Malmö 2011, Tyresö 2012–2014, Paris Saint-Germain 2014–2016, Lyon 2016–2017, Rosengård 2017–2024.
International matches/goals: 240/32.
Select merits: Olympic silver 2021 and 2016, World Championship bronze 2023, 2019, and 2011, European Championship bronze 2005, 2013, and 2022, Diamantbollen 2009 and 2019, Championship gold with Tyresö 2012, with Ldb Malmö 2011, with Linköping 2009, and with Rosengård 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2024. League winner in the USA with Western New York Flash 2011, French champion, cup winner, and Champions League winner with Lyon 2017.
