Players retiring from International Football after Euro 2016

The realm of International football will lose many good warriors and many veterans of war as it has been the case in the past tournaments for international tournaments are different story. In international competitions, many teams fight for qualification. Some taste success. Some don’t. Many teams are labelled as favourites and some as light-weights. Some favourites are hunted too. In the end there’s only one winner and many casualities in the form of experienced players, leave the international arena. It’s an end of an era for most of the fans who have grown up watching these magicians weaving their wizardry for their respective country. This Euro is no such exception. Many World Class players who have changed the face of football have announced their retirement. 5 players who have retired from International football after their European Campaign are:

 5. Petr Cech

The 34-year-old Arsenal and Czech-Republic keeper announced his retirement from International football after playing for a record 121st time for his country. The Czechs ended their European campaign securing last position in their group with a solitary point and bowed out of the tournament.

Cech made his senior international debut in 2002 and went on to represent his national side at Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup. Later he captained the side at Euro 2008.

While 2006 proved to be his only chance to appear in the World Cup finals, Cech would go on to play for his country at Euro 2012 and Euro 2016.

4. Tomas Rosicky

Another Czech player who announced his retirement from International football is the creative midfield genius, Tomas Rosicky. Making a surprising 105 appearances for his national side, the ex-Arsenal midfielder played a solid Euro 2016 tournament, with the high point coming in the exciting 2-2 draw against the technically adept Croatians.

Despite having an injury ravaged career, Rosicky managed to perform for his country at the highest level and earned 105 caps for his national side. However, the WC 2018 qualification campaign might be a step too far for this 35-year-old midfielder who has scored 23 goals for his national side.

3. Iker Casillas

Long standing Spanish captain and No.1 Iker Casillas was under heavy criticism since his dismal showing in Rio during the 2014 World Cup and his horror show against the Dutch in the 5-1 hammering. Since then, the former Real Madrid goalkeeper has been transferred to Porto and has lost his starting place to the emerging talent, Manchester United’s No.1 David de Gea.

Casillas made his debut in 2000 in a friendly against Sweden and went to his first European Championship title in 2000 as a 19-year-old back-up to Santiago Canizares. With a total of 167 caps, he captained his side to first Spanish European triumph in 44 years in Euro 2008. He then led the Spanish golden generation to their first ever World Cup triumph in 2010 and again won the European Championships in 2012, becoming the only captain to hold the World Cup and then successfully defend the European Cup in history.

2. Darijo Srna

It has been a very emotional tournament for the Croatian captain. He captained his side to the top of Group D, despite attending his father’s funeral in between the tournament. A classy full-back and regarded as on of the best right wing crossers in the game, the Croatian maestro equally shone as his star studded midfield of Kovacic, Rakitic, Perisic, and Modric.

Croatia were tipped even for the final, but crashed rather unluckily to Portugal in the round of 16. His 22 goals and 134 caps from a right-back position is a testament to his class which was on show in Croatia’s famous 2-1 win over Germany in Euro 2008 in which he scored 1 goal.

1. Zlatan Ibrahimovic

The mercurial yet dashing Swedish captain and forward is capable of scoring other-worldly goals. Goals which defy gravity and other laws of physics, the most famous of them coming in a 4-2 thriller vs England. The new Manchester United striker has often carried his national side’s hopes and ambitions on his proud shoulders.

The towering striker has retired as Sweden’s all-time top scorer with 62 goals in 116 games. Although he failed to make a significant impact with Sweden on the international stage, his charisma and signature moves will be dearly missed.