Matildas star makes tough decision to call time

Australia midfielder Collette McCallum has made the difficult call to end her decade-long international career on the eve of what would have been her third consecutive FIFA Women's World Cup.

Collette McCallum played her last match for the Matildas in Scotland. (Getty) Source: Getty Images Asia Pacific

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McCallum, 29, will play the 81st and final game of her distinguished Matildas career in the last match of Australia's Europe tour against Scotland in Falkirk on Friday morning (AEST).

Her decision came after a meeting with national coach Alen Stajcic and the medical staff, when she accepted the toll on her knees meant she couldn't return to her best form ahead of the World Cup in Canada, which starts on 6 June.

"Unfortunately my body can't deal with the intensity and load required to play at this level anymore," McCallum said. "I have pushed my knees as far as they can go and I am content with my decision to hang up the boots.

"Although it is disappointing to miss the World Cup, I feel that I have been fortunate enough to experience two previous campaigns of which the memories will never leave me."

McCallum is ninth on the all-time Matildas appearance list.