Irish football star Robbie Keane has just announced his retirement from international football.
The Dubliner has decided to hang up his boots following an 18 year footie career.
In an emotional statement released today, the LA Galaxy star revealed that it’s been an honour to play both in Ireland and abroad for the last number of years, but believes it’s time to move on.
The statement read, “Today, I am announcing my decision to retire from International football following the upcoming game with Oman on 31st August in the Aviva Stadium.
“It has been a wonderful journey for me to have played with the Irish national team for over eighteen years since I made my senior international debut back in 1998. I have enjoyed it all. It has also been a great honour for both me and my family to have been given the opportunity to captain my country for over ten years.
“As a young boy growing up in Dublin playing football on the street, I could never have imagined the path my life would take – it has exceeded my wildest expectations. I have been extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to play for and captain my country – it was my ultimate goal all those years ago and it has been, by far, my greatest achievement.
“I would never have believed all those years ago that I would get the opportunity to play for my country 145 times and to score 67 goals – and through it all, I have never stopped chasing the next one.
“I have been on the most incredible journey with the Irish team and fans over the last 18 years and words cannot express how proud I am to be Irish.Each and every time I put on the green jersey, it is such an honour.”
We’re so sorry to see him go, but we’re sure he’ll be moving on to bigger and better things.
