Fresh off helping his nation win the 2015 Asian Cup, Australian veteran Mark Bresciano has announced his retirement from international football.
Capped 84 times for the Socceroos, the 35-year-old, who now plays for Qatari side Al-Gharafa, announced his decision in a press release on Wednesday morning.
"It is with an element of sadness but a lot of pride that I have decided to retire from the Socceroos," Bresciano said. "Playing for my country in the sport I love has been an amazing experience and something I have cherished but never taken for granted.
"I have been fortunate enough to wear the Socceroo shirt at every major football tournament, meet some tremendous people, shared the highs and lows with some great players, and capped it all off by helping us win the 2015 Asian Cup.
"It has been an unforgettable journey with a lot of positive memories but I feel it is time to let this fantastic group of young players continue to take the Socceroos forward."
BREAKING NEWS: Mark Bresciano retires from international football #ThanksBresc #23 http://t.co/oz63nNFNSH pic.twitter.com/CnWsWP94cN
- Socceroos (@Socceroos) February 24, 2015
The Melbourne-born midfielder is one of a small set of players in the world to have represented their country at three different World Cups. His goal in Australia's 1-0 victory over Uruguay in 2005 helped them qualify for the World Cup after a 32 year absence from the competition -- one of the seminal moments in Australia's long and storied sporting history.
Bresciano's Socceroos career began as it ended, in triumph, in the 1-0 victory over reigning World Cup Champions France at the 2001 Confederations Cup. He went on to score 13 goals in his 14 years of service to the national team, appearing in three World Cups (2006, 2010 and 2014), two Asian Cups (2007 and 2015) two FIFA Confederation Cups (2001 and 2005) and the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
