Uruguay’s legendary striker, Edinson Cavani, announces international retirement

Uruguay and former Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani has announced his retirement from international football on Thursday (May 30) as he drops the curtain on an illustrious career. Cavani, widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers ever produced by his nation won 136 caps for the side and scored 58 goals. At the time of his retirement, only Luis Suarez (68) has scored more goals for the national side while he continued to serve Boca Juniors at the club level.

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Cavani calls time on international career

“I just want to thank you for every lesson you made me experience in your process. I don’t want to extend. Today there are few words but deep feelings. Thanks to each of the people who were part of this path for so many years,” Cavani wrote on his Instagram handle.

“I was and will always be blessed to have worn this shirt to represent what I love most in El Murido, my country. They were undoubtedly many precious years, I would have a thousand things to say, tell and remember, but today I want to dedicate myself to this new stage of my career and give everything where I have to be.”

“Today I decide to take a step aside, but I will always follow them with a beating heart, like when it was my turn to go out on the field. With this beautiful t-shirt.”

“I send a big hug to all my people. Up the Celeste!” wrote Cavani.

During his illustrious career with the South American side, Cavani won the 2011 Copa America title while also being part of the side that reached the 2010 FIFA World Cup semifinals, where they lost to the Netherlands. Cavani was the top scorer in the South American 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with 10 goals and helped his side reach the Round of 16 in the final tournament.

Cavani’s legacy with the national side

Cavani also ranks third in the list for most appearances for the Uruguay national side with 136, only Diego Godin (161) and Luis Suarez (138) have played more. Since his debut for Uruguay in 2008, Cavani scored in every calendar year until his last cap in 2022. A 2-0 win for Uruguay against Ghana in the 2022 FIFA World Cup group stage match in December was the last international appearance for Cavani in the national colors, where he was a second-half substitute. Cavani’s last goal for the nation came in a 5-0 friendly win for Uruguay over Panama on 11 June 2022 where he ended with a brace.

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