Van Nistelrooy announces international retirement

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

THE HAGUE (AFP) — Netherlands striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has announced that he will retire from international football to concentrate on playing for Real Madrid, the Dutch football association KNVB said on Tuesday.

"Having studied in detail the programmes of Real Madrid and the Dutch eleven, I realised that, given the physical effort required to perform at my maximum, I was going to have to make a choice," van Nistelrooy said in a message to national coach Bert van Marwijk.

"The combination of the competition, cup and Champions League games of Real Madrid and the programme of the Dutch team is too heavy a burden.

"I have no other choice."

The 32-year-old said he had not taken the decision lightly.

"Obviously such a decision is not something...

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