Cech retires from international career Published on July 8, 2016

Cech retires from international career

Published on July 8, 2016 



Veteran goalkeeper and Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech has announced his retirement from international football after a record 124 games for the Czech Republic over an eventful 14-year career.
“I would hate to end up in a situation when I would start feeling tired midway through a qualifying campaign,” the 34-year-old told reporters in Prague on Friday.
“I like to do things at a 100 percent.”
“The decision is final.”
“I feel there will be a moment when I will need more time to rest,” said the former Chelsea and current Arsenal stopper.
Cech played all three games for the Czech Republic at Euro 2016, where his team lost to Spain and Turkey and drew with Croatia, bowing out after the group phase with a single point.
“I’m sorry we failed to fulfill the potential of the team, we obviously could have done better,” said Cech.
The 34-year-old is his country’s most capped player with 121 appearances, having made his debut in 2002.
He was part of the Czech side that reached the semi-final at Euro 2004, losing to eventual champions Greece.
“When I was a kid, my ultimate dream was to play for the national team at least once,” he told Arsenal’s website.
“Having done it so many times makes me really proud.”