Well, it’s finally happened.
Roughly an hour after being named in Martin O’Neill’s squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Serbia, Robbie Keane has announced his retirement from international football.
Keane is Ireland’s most capped player in history with 145 international caps, while his record of 67 goals is more than three times higher than his nearest challenger, Niall Quinn.
While he has had a nomadic club career, Keane rarely turned down the chance to play for his country and his retirement at the age of 36 comes with more than a hint of sadness.
He will play for, and presumably captain, Ireland for the final time against Oman at the Aviva Stadium on 31 August.
Opening lines of statement from Robbie Keane after he announced he will retire from Irish duty after Oman game pic.twitter.com/BjjJoGjIZX
— Daniel McDonnell (@McDonnellDan) August 24, 2016
Robbie Keane retires. All sports coverage for tomorrow cancelled
— Aidan O'Hara (@oharaa) August 24, 2016
https://twitter.com/tomflynnphoto/status/768474075819835392
Robbie Keane to retire after the Oman game next week what a servant he's been for Ireland. Big boots to fill in his position 🇮🇪 @RTEsport
— Lee Smith (@Leexx101) August 24, 2016
Here is a section from Robbie Keane's statement. Gettin a bit emotional reading this #Legend pic.twitter.com/usYEHX6lHx
— Stephen Doyle (@dubsoulrebel) August 24, 2016
A REMINDER:
Robbie Keane:
– 300+ club goals
– PL goal at 6 clubs
– 67 International goals
– 13th highest PL scorer pic.twitter.com/sfRCCdrAtg— Football Remind (@FootballRemind) August 24, 2016
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