Baros Czechs out from international duty

Milan Baros has retired from international football with the Czech Republic.

The 30-year-old made the announcement after his country’s Euro 2012 quarter-final defeat to Portugal on Thursday night, with the Czech football federation’s website confirming he received “long applause” from his team-mates in the dressing room.

Baros, who is currently with Turkish side Galatasaray having played for Liverpool and Aston Villa earlier in his career, played 93 times for the Czechs, scoring 41 goals. He was the top scorer at Euro 2004 with five goals.

A report on fotbal.cz, the federation’s official site, stated: “(Baros’ retirement) had been speculated about for some time. The 30-year-old has been the subject of sharp criticism, culminating in the first Euro 2012 match against Russia. When Baros was substituted, some fans booed him.”

The federation said Baros was expected to make an official statement later today.