Chelsea’s Victor Moses announces international retirement
Chelsea defender Victor Moses has announced his retirement from international football after making 31 appearances for Nigeria.
The 27-year-old featured in all Super Eagles’ games at the 2018 Fifa World Cup Russia and got a goal against Argentina at the Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg.
Moses, who made his debut for the national team in 2012, won one Africa Cup of Nations as Stephen Keshi’s men beat Burkina Faso in the final in 2013, after missing out of the 2012 edition.
He also represented the country at two World Cups, and was the country’s topscorer enroute Russia 2018 with three goals.
And the Chelsea star has published a statement declaring that his time with the Nigerian national team has come to an end.
“I would like to announce that after much thought I have made the decision to retire from playing international football,” Moses wrote on Instagram
“I have experienced some of the best moments of my life wearing the Super Eagles shirt and have memories with me that will last a lifetime. Nothing will ever compete to what it felt like to represent Nigeria on behalf of our country.
“However, I feel that now is the right time to step away in order to be able to focus fully on club career and my young family as well as to allow the next generation of Super Eagles stars the opportunity to step up and to flourish. We are blessed as a nation to have so many exciting young players coming through and now is their time.”
— Victor Moses (@VictorMoses) August 15, 2018
“There are so many highlights that stand out for me over the years; from making my debut, to playing in two World Cups and being a part of the team to win the African Nations Cup for first time for our nation since 1994 being just a few of them,” he continued.
“I have already spoken to the manager by telephone and would like to say thank you to him and his staff, the NFF and all of my teammates for all of their support over the years.
“Most importantly, I would like to say thank you to the Nigerian people for believing in me and supporting me over the years.
“It’s meant the world to me and my family and I will always be a proud Nigerian supporting the team. Thank you for the memories and good luck to the team for the future.”
