Monday, July 11, 2016

On Friday, Arsenal F.C. goalkeeper and Czech Republic football captain Petr ?ech announced retirement from international football.

Debuting fourteen years ago, ?ech made 124 international appearances and became his nation’s most capped player. The 34-year-old goalkeeper said, “This is a purely football-based decision. […] I’m now 34 and the next [international] tournament is in two years which, in football, is a very long time.”

?ech said his childhood dream was to play a match in the national jersey. He has conceded 115 goals. Debuting against Hungary, he played his last international match against Turkey in the UEFA Euro 2016 group stage.

?ech has played four Euro tournaments, winning the bronze medal in 2004. He was voted Czech Footballer of the Year eight times and won the golden ball ten times.

?ech plays for Arsenal in the Premier League. He has made 367 Premier League appearances for Chelsea F.C. and Arsenal.