Emotional Matildas stars are in tears as they pay tribute to retiring captain Clare Polkinghorne ahead of swan song against Brazil

Suncorp Stadium let out a huge roar for Clare Polkinghorne on Thursday evening as the retiring Matildas legend led her side onto the Brisbane field for the final time.

The 35-year-old is set to call time on her Matildas career after the international break, with tonight’s friendly against Brazil marking her 168th appearance for Australia.

The game adds to her astonishing appearance record, with the defensive tough Matildas’ all-time leading appearance maker.

Polkinghorne appeared moved by the reception and held back tears as fans in the stadium waved banners expressing gratitude for her sensational career playing for Australia.

She greeted several members of her family, before stepping to the microphone to deliver a brief pre-match message of thanks, which appeared to move some of her teammates to tears.

“Just a few quick words from me because we have a game to do,” the former Brisbane Roar star said.

Matildas star Clare Polkinghorne was welcomed to Suncorp Stadium for the final time on Thursday evening to a huge roar

Her Matildas teammates cut emotional figures as they fought back tears as the stadium paid tribute to Australia’s retiring captain

It happened ahead of Australia’s match against Brazil on Thursday afternoon, with Polkinghorne’s teammates paying tribute to the departing legend before kick-off.

“It’s so special for me to be here and celebrate in front of my home fans, in a city I grew up in and in a stadium I absolutely love.

“This team has been everything to me. It’s been quite a journey. And I’m very grateful for everything everyone has done along the way.

“Thank you very much, and let’s keep going,” she added.

The legendary number 4 was also presented with a framed Matildas jersey which appeared to be signed by several of her teammates.

Polkinghorne made her Matilda debut in 2006 and has scored 16 goals in that time, playing at the 2007 World Cup, the 2011 World Cup and was an unused squad member at the 2015 World Cup.

She has also been selected to represent Australia at three Olympic Games.

Ahead of tonight’s match, Polkinghorne spoke about how much it meant to her to represent her country one last time in her home city of Brisbane.

Polkinghorn made a short speech before the match, saying: ‘This team has been everything to me. It’s been quite a journey. And I’m very grateful for everything that everyone has done.”

Tonight’s match was Polkinghorne’s 168th international appearance for the Australian side

Before the match she had admitted how “special” it was for her to play for the Matildas for the last time in Brisbane.

“It’s obviously very special for me to be able to come back to Brisbane and play one last game in the city I grew up in, in the stadium that means so much to me, and to my family and friends and everything. the people who helped me on my journey and without whom I wouldn’t be here today,” she said.

“So a chance for me to thank them for everything they’ve done in my career, and just really special to be able to play one last game.”

But she added that it may take some time before it sinks in that this will be her last Matildas appearance at Suncorp.

“I don’t think it will really hit me until after that,” she added.

More to follow…