Five players who retired from internationals after World Cup
Published:Following England skipper Steven Gerrard’s retirement from international football, Coral experts look at five other World Cup players that have hanged their boots up following the Brazil finals.
Julio Cesar (Brazil)
QPR-owned stopper Cesar decided to walk away from the Samba Boys setup following the host nation’s fourth place finish under Phil Scolari. A Champions League winner as part of Jose Mourinho’s historic treble team of 2010 at Inter Milan, that stellar club success could not be transferred to his country four years later on home soil.
Like all of Brazil, Cesar was left shell-shocked by their 7-1 semi-final demolition by Germany. He won 87 caps and scooped the 2004 Copa America and two Confederations Cups on international duty. The Samba Boys are 10/1 to put things right in 2018 by winning the next World Cup in Russia.
Philipp Lahm (Germany)
Gerrard is in good company quitting as Die Mannschaft counterpart Lahm has done exactly the same after lifting the World Cup. Peerless in either full back berth or a holding midfield role, the Bayern Munich captain will take some replacing in Joachim Low’s lads.
There is no disgrace in going out at the very zenith of world football, though. Lahm landed 113 caps and finally won a major tournament at the sixth attempt, dispelling third place finishes at the previous two World Cups and a runners-up medal from Euro 2008. Germany are 5/1 to defend their global crown in four years’ time, and 7/2 favourites to build on success in Brazil by winning Euro 2016.
David Villa (Spain)
La Roja record scorer Villa saw the writing on the wall. This tournament was just one too many for himself and Spain metronome Xavi, who swiftly joined his former Barcelona teammate in retiring from internationals.
Villa played a massive part in the unprecedented dominance of the Iberian outfit, started by Luis Aragones but continued by Vicente del Bosque. Five goals fired La Roja to global glory in South Africa four years ago. Spain are 4/1 to retain their European crown at Euro 2016.
Giorgos Karagounis (Greece)
Central midfielder Karagounis goes out with 139 caps, having represented Greece at five major tournaments. He is their record appearance maker. Suspended for his country’s finest hour when they upset Euro 2004 hosts Portgual, he still played a vital part in that surprise package success.
Karagounis’ club career has been markedly less successful, as he recently suffered Premier League relegation with Fulham. What price the Pirate Ship can defy the odds once again and win Euro 2016? It’s 150/1 on Greek glory on French football fields in two years’ time.
Joseph Yobo (Nigeria)
Super Eagles and ex-Everton stalwart Yobo decided to call time on his international career after amassing over a century of caps. Nigeria made the knockout phase in Brazil, which any African nation tends to take as a decent showing on the global stage.
Having finished in third place at four of the last six Africa Cups of Nations, Yobo and his Super Eagles teammates finally became continental champions in 2013. These were among his personal total of an impressive nine major tournaments at international level. Nigeria are 150/1 to win the next World Cup.
