Soccer Birgit Prinz says goodbye to football

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP)

Three-time FIFA player of the year Birgit Prinz has officially ended one of the most illustrious careers in women's football that saw her win two World Cup titles with Germany.

The 34-year-old Prinz played in a farewell match on Tuesday with her longtime club Frankfurt against Germany to mark the end of her playing days.

Prinz scored for Frankfurt before switching sides and then scoring also for Germany, which won the match 6-3. She was given a standing ovation as she came off late in the match.

''It was a fun evening and everyone had a good time,'' she said. ''I think I had a very nice career.''

Prinz retired after last year's disappointing World Cup at home when Germany was eliminated early and she was relegated to the bench.

Prinz played in five World Cup tournaments and scored 14 goals, a record she shares with Marta of Brazil. In 214 matches for Germany, Prinz scored 128 goals.

She also helped Germany win five European titles and earned three Olympic bronze medals.

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Updated: 28/03/2012 08:42