Wambach, who helped the US win the World Cup in July, has scored more goals than any male and female player in international football history with 184 goals in 255 matches.

Captaining her country in front of a crowd of 32,950 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, the 35-year-old played 72 minutes as China brought an end to America's 104-game unbeaten streak on home soil thanks to Wang Shuang's deflected effort in the 58th minute. 

After handing her captain’s armband to Carli Lloyd, Wambach hugged each of her team-mates before exiting the field for the final time.

Earlier, she had met US President Barack Obama, who called her "The Greatest of All Time". 

The two-time Olympic champion threatened with two headers and a shot at goal from inside the penalty area but, despite the outcome of the exhibition match, she insisted it "wasn’t about getting a result".

"Tonight is a celebration," said the 2012 FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year.

"The result, obviously, is annoying.

"It would be better if we had won, but the reality is I played in so many games.

"This result doesn't shape or determine or define my career."

Speaking before the game, Wambach called for Germany’s Jurgen Klinsmann, who has been in charge of the US men’s team since 2011, to be sacked.

She said Klinsmann had concentrated too much on recruiting the likes of Jermaine Jones and Fabian Johnson, both of whom were born in Germany and participated in that country’s national team programme before committing to play for the US.

"He hasn't really focused, I feel, enough attention on the youth programmes," she said in an interview for the Bill Simmons Podcast, which is accessible by clicking here.  

"Although he says he has, I don't think that he has.

"I don't think Jurgen and this litmus test on him has worked.

"I would definitely fire Jurgen.

"The way that he has brought in a bunch of these foreign guys is not something I believe in wholeheartedly."

Another major star of women’s football, Japan’s Homare Sawa, has also announced her retirement.

The 2011 FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year, who scored 83 goals in 205 appearances for her country, had previously said she intended to compete at next year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro having won a silver medal at London 2012.

The midfielder made a record sixth World Cup appearance in Canada this year as defending champions Japan lost to the US in the final.

Four years earlier, Sawa scored an extra-time equaliser against the same opponents to send the 2011 final to penalties.

Japan won 3-1 in the ensuing shoot-out to claim its first Women’s World Cup title, with Wambach the only goalscorer for the US. 

"She led women’s soccer in Japan for many years, a great player who played in many World Cups and Olympics with the national side," Japan manager Norio Sasaki told Kyodo News of Sawa. 

"She scored at crunch moments and led us to victories in many matches.

"She’s one of the special players I’ve met in my career.

"It’s unfortunate she’s retiring, but I hope she continues to shine in the next stage of her life."



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