At the age of 37, Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani declared on Thursday that his international career was coming to an end.
With 58 goals in 136 games, “El Matador” Cavani is the third most-capped player in Uruguayan history and the country’s second-all-time top scorer.
“I have been and always will be blessed to have pulled on this shirt to represent what I love most in the world, my country,” he said in a message on social media, dedicated to his “beloved Celeste” (the nickname of the Uruguayan national team).
“I want to dedicate myself to this new stage of my career and give everything I have to where I need to be.
“Today I’ve decided to retire, but I’ll always follow you with my heart pounding, just like when I played in that beautiful shirt.”
Cavani made his debut for Uruguay in 2008 and represented his country at four World Cups — the first of which in 2010, he reached the semi-finals and was voted the tournament’s best player.
His crowning glory in sky blue, however, was a 2011 Copa America triumph in neighbouring Argentina.
Formerly of Napoli, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United, Cavani currently plays for Argentinian club Boca Juniors.
