Heartwarming moment Matildas great Lydia Williams breaks down after Indigenous sporting legend surprised her with a rare honour in her last game in Australia

Australia have given Lydia Williams an exciting farewell as the Matildas pioneer prepares to bring the curtain down on her international career.

Williams, Australian football’s longest-serving player, drove a packed Accor Stadium wild with every touch of the ball on Monday evening during the friendly match against China.

A guard of honor gathered before the match for the 36-year-old as Australian tennis great Evonne Goolagong presented Cawley Williams, a Noongar woman, with a traditional animal skin cloak.

With the captain’s armband in hand, Williams’ game came to an end just before half-time when coach Tony Gustavsson opted to bring on preferred goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold.

The 76,798-strong audience sent Williams off in her 104th performance as Matilda to a rousing standing ovation.

Williams burst into tears after being shocked by Goolagong Cawley’s presentation of the animal skin cloak

Australian football fans turned out in droves to honor the legacy Williams will leave behind

Williams will hang up the gloves after the Paris Games, which start at the end of July and end an impressive career in green and gold.

The experienced campaigner has competed in five World Cups, six AFC Women’s Asian Cups (including the 2010 title win) and two Olympic Games.

As part of the tribute, Williams also received a Booka cloak from tennis great Evonne Goolagong Cawley at a pre-match ceremony.

This Booka, made from the skins of four kangaroos that symbolize Williams’ totem, features panels depicting her childhood and career, along with crow footprints and river rocks in honor of her late father.

Artist Lea Taylor created it after secret conversations with Williams’ mother, because preparing the skins is considered a woman’s affair.

The Australian Matildas teammates hug Williams after the Booka presentation

It was gifted on the pitch by a Wiradjuri woman to a Noongar woman, with Goolagong hugging Cawley Williams in complete shock for the departing Matildas star.

“It was just incredible to receive that gift from Evonne and I think that was probably the moment that turned me emotionally,” Williams said.

‘I don’t know if it is true: play recognizes play. It was a beautiful moment.

“Many sportswomen in Australia just want to leave the game better than when they first came into it and don’t really realize the impact of how they have shaped the culture of not just women’s sport, but just Australian sport.

“To receive that from such an icon, a tennis legend, is definitely very humbling.

“That was a bit of a letdown for the kid who grew up in the desert and fell in love with football.”

Williams shows a love heart symbol to the thousands of Australian supporters who came to watch the match and honor her last game for her country

The Accor Stadium was also decked out in tributes to Williams, leaving the custodian emotional and humbled

Williams took time to meet her adoring fans, pose for selfies and sign autographs

Williams made her debut for the country as a 17-year-old in 2005 and has been a crucial figure for the women’s team during their rise.

The West Australian was the face of the Matildas players’ strike in 2015 and led the fight to improve working conditions for the national team.

Teammate Clare Hunt praised Williams’ contributions to the sport during her 19 years with the Matildas.

“It was just a great celebration of everything she has achieved personally in her career, but also for Australian women’s football and women’s football around the world,” Hunt said.

‘It is always a privilege to share the field with Lyds.

“She has very old hair, is very mature and has a lot of experience, so it’s great to be able to work in an environment where you learn from her every day.”