Ukraine captain and striker Andriy Shevchenko has announced his retirement from international football following his country's early exit from Euro 2012 after a 1-0 defeat to England. Shevchenko intends to say his final farewell in a friendly later this year before standing down from national team duty.The 35-year-old striker won his 111th cap for his country on Tuesday (June 19, 2012), coming on as a substitute in his side's 1-0 defeat to England. Shevchenko has scored 48 goals for his country (a national record); netting his first international goal in a friendly against Turkey in 1996 and his last two came in the 2-1 victory over Sweden in Euro 2012. Shevchenko captained his country to the World Cup quarter-finals in 2006 and won the Ballon d'Or in 2004.
At club level he won the Champions League with Italian giants AC Milan in 2003 and has collected silverware in Italy (AC Milan) and England (Chelsea) as well as his native country (Dynamo Kyiv).
“I just want to play one more game to say goodbye, just for my family and friends and all the fans who have supported me for many, many years. For everyone the time [to retire from football] comes", Shevchenko said in a press release.
Shevchenko's contract with current side Dynamo Kiev expires next month and a lucrative-move to Major League Soccer in the United States is expected.
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