Roberto Carlos announces retirement from international football

BRAZIL left-back Roberto Carlos has announced his international retirement.

Two days after Brazil were knocked out of the World Cup in a 1-0 defeat by France, the Real Madrid defender said in Spain he had played his last game for his country.

“I’ve stopped with the national team,” he said. “It was my last game.”

Although 33, Carlos had previously said he intended to play on for his country for several more seasons. He joins Juninho Pernambucano in retiring, with the Lyon midfielder having made his announcement on Sunday, and like Juninho, he suggested that the other over-30s in the squad should step down for the younger generation.

Carlos has been a mainstay in the national side since making his debut 12 years ago, earning a total of 132 caps and scoring 10 goals. He has amassed a glittering medal collection with the national team, winning the 2002 World Cup, the Copa America in 1997 and 1999, the Confederations Cup in 1997, and a bronze medal at the 1996 Olympics.

Meanwhile, Japan international Hidetoshi Nakata has announced his retirement from the game in an open letter published on the website of Italian Serie A side Fiorentina. The captain of the Japan team at this summer’s World Cup has decided to hang up his boots at the age of 29, although “no specific reason” has been given.

“I decided six months ago to quit after the World Cup,” said Nakata. “There has been no one specific event or reason as to why I have reached this decision, but I simply felt the time had come to take leave from this journey which is called professional football and I wanted to start a new journey which will allow me to discover a new world.”

Nakata is looking to a future away from the game, although he has not revealed exactly what he would like to do next.

“I have always walked with my head held high and this will give me the foundations for the rest of my life and will give me faith in myself,” he said.