Real Madrid's Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has announced his retirement from international football.
"After studying the schedule of Madrid and the Dutch team I realised playing for both would mean too tough a load for me," said the 32-year-old.
Van Nistelrooy won the first of his 64 caps in 1998 and is the team's third highest all-time scorer with 33 goals.
He missed Euro 2000 through injury but played and scored at Euro 2004 and 2008 and also the 2006 World Cup.
His decision came as a surprise to new national team coach Bert van Marwijk, who succeeded Marco van Basten as national team coach on 1 July.
"I had a comprehensive conversation with Ruud and I can do nothing else but respect his decision," said van Marwijk.
"I regret it that I can't use his quality and experience when I compose my squad but I wish him all the best at Real Madrid."
Van Nistelrooy made his name at PSV Eindhoven, where he suffered a serious knee injury, before moving to Manchester United for a then- British record fee of £19m in 2001.
He had five successful years at Old Trafford before moving to Madrid in July 2006 for £10.2m.
The Dutch are up against Scotland, Norway, Macedonia and Iceland in World Cup qualifying Group 9.
發表於 2008-8-5 05:05 PM
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