Vidal, Robben announce international retirement
Print Edition
ARTURO Vidal says he is retiring from international football with his “soul crushed” after Chile failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup finals.
Vidal missed Chile’s final shot at qualification on Tuesday through suspension, the South American champion losing 0-3 to Brazil to miss out on the tournament in Russia next year on goal difference.
Vidal, 30, announced his intention to step down from the national team on Twitter.
“Thank you lads, for everything, for all these years together... for teaching me and for showing a country that with effort and work anything is possible in life,” the Bayern Munich midfielder wrote in Spanish.
He said his “soul was crushed” but at the same time spoke of his “pride at players and staff”.
Vidal with Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal was part of the golden generation of Chile players that claimed the Copa America in 2015 and 2016.
Chile, which was beaten by Brazil in the round of 16 at both the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, was soundly beaten again by Brazil in Sao Paulo on Tuesday, with Gabriel Jesus scoring a brace.
The Chileans finished level on points with Peru, which secured a two-legged playoff against New Zealand, but trailed on goal difference to be placed out of the running in 6th in the final South American qualifying table.
Chile’s Argentine manager Juan Antonio Pizzi also announced his resignation from the team after Tuesday’s disappointment.
Earlier, Netherlands captain Arjen Robben signalled the end of his international career after his country, too, failed to reach the World Cup finals despite a 2-0 win over Sweden on Tuesday.
The Bayern star signed off by scoring both goals in Amsterdam as the Dutch fell well short of the unlikely 7-0 win they needed to make the playoffs after a desperately disappointing qualifying campaign.
The 33-year-old Robben scored 37 times in 96 appearances for the Netherlands and helped them reach the 2010 World Cup final where they lost 0-1 to Spain after extra-time.
The Dutch also progressed to the last four at the 2014 finals, before losing to Lionel Messi’s Argentina on penalties.
“Fourteen years, it’s beautiful, magnificent even,” said Robben, who made his international debut against Portugal in April 2003.
“I will always remember the 2010 World Cup and 2014. Those are my best memories. During those two competitions we formed a real team.”
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 娌狪CP璇侊細娌狪CP澶05050403鍙-1
- |
- 浜掕仈缃戞柊闂讳俊鎭湇鍔¤鍙瘉锛31120180004
- |
- 缃戠粶瑙嗗惉璁稿彲璇侊細0909346
- |
- 骞挎挱鐢佃鑺傜洰鍒朵綔璁稿彲璇侊細娌瓧绗354鍙
- |
- 澧炲肩數淇′笟鍔＄粡钀ヨ鍙瘉锛氭勃B2-20120012
Copyright 漏 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
