EXCITING NEWS: TNG WhatsApp Channel is LIVE…
Subscribe for FREE to get LIVE NEWS UPDATE. Click here to subscribe!
The FIFA World Cup was not only one of the most exciting event of 2018 in soccer world but also was a year which drew the curtain on a number of players international careers.
Since the football Mundial in Russia, a number of players have said farewell to their country.
We look at most shocking retirement announcement in 2018:
Victor Moses (Nigeria)
Chelsea defender Victor Moses announced his retirement from international football after making 37 appearances for Nigeria.
The 27-year-old featured in all Super Eagles’ games at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and got a goal against Argentina at the Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg.
Moses, who made his debut for the national team in 2012, won one Africa Cup of Nations as Stephen Keshi’s men beat Burkina Faso in the final in 2013, after missing out of the 2012 edition.
Mesut Ozil ( Germany)
Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil announced his immediate retirement from international football after the World Cup.
The German gave reasons for his retirement, claiming to have been the subject of “racism and disrespect” following his high-profile and controversial meeting with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan prior to the World Cup.
The picture with Erdogan saw the Arsenal man pose with the Turkish president and German teammate Ilkay Gundogan.
Gerard Pique (Spain)
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique confirmed his retirement from international football in August shortly after the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
The 31-year-old centre-back made 102 appearances for his country between 2009 and 2018, scoring five times.
He was part of the Spain team that won their first World Cup in 2010, before adding the 2012 European Championship.
David Silva (Spain)
Manchester City midfielder David Silva announced his retirement from international football in August after his participation with Spain at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Silva, 32, won the 2010 World Cup and 2008 and 2012 European Championship titles and played 125 times for Spain after making his debut in 2006.
He said he was “very proud” of his achievements with La Roja, and that the decision to retire was “one the most difficult of my career”.
Jamie Vardy and Gary Cahill ( England)
England pair Jamie Vardy and Gary Cahill stepped aside from international football to allow manager Gareth Southgate to bring younger players in, according to the players.
Vardy, who made his England debut against the Republic of Ireland in June 2015, made four appearances for England at this summer’s World Cup, where they reached the semi-finals.
While Chelsea defender Cahill, 32, scored five goals in 61 appearances for England, having made his debut in 2010, and captained the side on several occasions.
He made just one appearance at the World Cup, during England’s 1-0 group stage defeat by Belgium.
Mario Mandzukic (Croatia)
Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic also announced his retirement from international football in 2018 after Croatia reached the World Cup final for the first time.
The 32-year-old hit the winning goal in the semi-finals against England, before scoring an own goal and one for his team in the 4-2 final defeat by France on 15 July.
Mandzukic, who joined Italian champions Juve in 2015, scored 33 goals in 89 appearances for Croatia.
.