Melbourne, Oct 1: Australian midfielder Mile Jedinak announced his retirement from international football Monday, bringing the curtain down on a 79-cap career which included leading the Socceroos at two World Cups. Jedinak thus becomes the second Australian player to hang up his boots after legendary Tim Cahill did a month ago.
The Aston Villa player led his country at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and this year’s tournament in Russia, having also captained the side to an Asian Cup triumph on home soil in 2015.
The 34-year-old announced his decision in a lengthy Instagram post, three months before Australia launch their continental title defence in the United Arab Emirates.
“I can confirm that after much deliberation I have made the decision to retire from playing international football,” Jedinak wrote.
“As a young boy growing up, it was my dream to play for Australia and have been given the opportunity to not only fulfil that dream, but to have done it 79 times, and many of which as captain, makes me incredibly proud and thankful.”
Jedinak, who also played at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, scored 20 goals for his country, a majority of them from the penalty spot, including both of Australia’s tallies in their group stage exit in Russia.
“It is an enormous privilege to represent your country and one I did not take lightly,” Jedinak said. “Words will never be able to do justice the feeling of immense pride I felt when representing Australia.”
Football Federation Australia (FFA) thanked Jedinak for his contribution to the national side and called him ‘great role model’ for the country’s young footballers.
“Mile has been a great leader for the Socceroos and great player for Australia,” head coach Graham Arnold said in FFA statement.
