Tiago ends Portugal career
Monday, January 17, 2011
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Tiago has retired from international football after winning 58 caps for Portugal, saying "it is important to give an opportunity to young players, like when I got my chance eight years ago".
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Portugal midfielder Tiago has announced his retirement from international football after 58 appearances and three goals for the national team.
The Club Atlético de Madrid player made his debut while at SL Benfica in a November 2002 friendly against Scotland and featured for what proved to be the last time during a 3-1 UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying victory in Iceland on 12 October. In a letter to Dr Gilberto Madaíl, president of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), the 29-year-old said it had been an "honour" to represent his country but had decided to call time on his international career for "personal reasons".
Tiago, who is on loan to Atlético from Juventus, added: "My era in the national team has ended and it is important to give an opportunity to young players, like when I got my chance eight years ago." The former SC Braga, Olympique Lyonnais and Chelsea FC man featured at the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cups, scoring two of his three goals in a 7-0 defeat of Korea DPR at last summer's tournament.
In a statement on the FPF website, Dr Madaíl said: "Tiago was part of some of Portugal's best years and I think he has much more to give. However, I respect his decision and I wish him all the best professionally and personally."
