Calling It Quits

July 17th, 2006 | by: Daryl |

The end of the 2006 World Cup signalled pipe and slippers time for some impressive international careers.

So, we’ve put together a quick list of World Cup players who’ve made official announcements.

In alphabetical order, wave goodbye to…

Roberto Carlos (Brazil)
Phillip Cocu (Netherlands)
Mohammad Al Deayea (Saudi Arabia)
Luis Figo (Portugal)
Sami Al Jaber (Saudi Arabia)
Juninho Pernambucano (Brazil)
Oliver Kahn (Germany)
Henrik Larsson (Sweden)
Claude Makelele (France)
Hidetoshi Nakata* (Japan)
Pauleta (Portugal)
Karel Poborsky (Czech Republic)
Claudio Reyna (USA)
Hatem Trabelsi (Tunisia)
Paolo Wanchope (Costa Rica)
Zinedine Zidane* (France)

(and of course … Graham Poll)

* = retired from football altogether

Still wating on official decisions from Francesco Totti, Cafu, Lilian Thuram, Fabien Barthez, Mark Viduka, Dwight Yorke, Agustin Delgado, Brian McBride, Kasey Keller and others.

As always, leave a comment to point out anyone who should be added to the list.

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brasileiro

i do hope cafu retires already.there’s no point in pushing things further because this may only ruin his legacy as a once-great figure in the seleçao.
Jane

Thought I read Lilain Thuram was trying to move to Arsenal.
Kiko

Akwa promised to retire too. I wonder what he is waiting for.
Mcthingy2

I think it would have been better for everyone if Roberto Carlos had retired before the World Cup
Adam

Pauleta from Portugal also done
Adam

Im an idiot nevermind
http://brazil.worldcupblog.org/ Euler

Official announcements to quit the National Team, right? Most will still be playing in teams from all over Europe, so technically it is still ‘international’ career.

Roberto Carlos time in the Seleção is over no matter if he wants it or not. Cafu’s too.

Juninho Pernambucano admitted he will be too old for the next WC (unlike the 2 mentioned above). He will be 35. That’s one more reason for Brazilians to hate Parreira. He deserved to play more in this one.