Sydney: Australia’s all-time leading goalscorer Tim Cahill announced his retirement from international football Tuesday, ending an illustrious 14-year-old career that has taken him to four FIFA World Cups.
“Today’s the day that I’m officially hanging up my boots on my international career with the Socceroos,” Cahill tweeted. “No words can describe what it has meant to represent my country. Massive thank you to everyone for the support throughout all my years wearing the Australian badge.”
The 38-year-old former Everton striker where he spent eight years has 50 goals to his name in 107 appearances for the country. His club stats read 148 goals in 588 games till now.
Cahill started his international career with Western Samoa U-20s and only became a Socceroo in 2004 after an intense lobbying campaign to world body FIFA. He last played for Australia in their group stage exit in recently concluded World Cup in Russia when he came in as a substitute in their last group encounter against Peru.
Cahill was also the first Australian to score a World Cup goal in 2006 in Germany. He also led his country to the Asian Games glory for the first time in 2015.
Cahill, who is currently playing for his former club Millwall after joining them on a short-term deal however did not reveal whether he will continue his club career.