'You did it so well and I'm so happy for you' - NFL legend Tom Brady congratulates stunned Alyssa Naeher on USWNT career

Brady, argubably the greatest NFL quarterback of all-time, celebrated Naeher's 10-year run with the USWNT after the match against England

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Alyssa Naeher announced her retirement from the U.S. women's national team last week it got some GOAT-level attention. Tom Brady, arguably the NFL's greatest ever player, celebrated the news and recorded a tribute to the goalkeeper, which was shown to a stunned and emotional Naeher in an interview with TNT after the USWNT's 0-0 draw with England at Wembley Saturday.

  "Congratulations Alyssa on an incredible international career," Brady said. "What an honor it must have been to represent your country for as long as you did. You did it so well and I'm so happy for you. Congratulations."

  A choked-up Naeher quickly replied, "Wow, that's so cool."

  Naeher made her 115th cap in the match against England.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Naeher leaves as one of the most accomplished goalkeepers for the USWNT, having won two World Cups in 2015 and 2019 and the gold medal in last summer's Olympics. She was also named CONCACAF's best goalkeeper in 2018 and was a Golden Glove winner in the W Gold Cup in 2024.

  "I hope that I'm remembered as someone who helped make everyone better and pushed them to be better every single day. I know everyone pushed me to be a better player and person. Being a part of this team is really special," she told TNT. "To be a part of this legacy, be a part of the U.S. women's national team and obviously play in games like this and have moments like this is incredible."

  Brady is winningest quarterback in NFL history, having won seven Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He retired after the 2022 season. He is also a part owner of Birmingham in the English Championship.

• WHAT NAEHER SAID

  Naeher reflected on her decision to retire in her postmatch interview:

  "I had a lot of conversations with trusted people, my family, my friends, my [personal trainers]," she said. "At the end of the season, you take stock mental, physical [wise]. For me, I feel so fulfilled in the career that I've had with this team. It's just a special team to be a part of. I couldn't imagine or dream that I would have the opportunities that I've had. Everything that this team has fought for off the field.

  "To be part of that is incredible as well. It's sad and it was always going to be hard to walk away from something that you love., but with it being a cyclical thing with the World Cup and the Olympics and everything being three-four year cycles, in my head, it just felt like the right time."

• WHAT NEXT FOR USWNT?

  The USWNT will wrap up an impressive 2024 campaign with a match on Dec. 3 against the Netherlands. That will also be Naeher's final match as a member of the national team. She remains an active player in NWSL.