After being eliminated at the European Championships, Captain Vladimír Darida unexpectedly ended his career in the Czech national football team.
Herthy Berlin, a 30-year-old midfielder, explained the surprising decision, among other things, by saying that he wanted to spend more time with his family and son.
“We said goodbye to the national team with the Euro. After him, I said goodbye to the teammates I had the honor of being the captain, because I wore the national team jersey for the last time at the championship,” Darida confirmed for the Czech Football Association website.
“It wasn’t easy for them to tell me and they don’t write even now, but after much deliberation I decided to end my career in the national team,” he added.
“I have sacrificed everything for football so far and in return football has fully returned it to me. But everything costs something. In this Bundesliga and national team season, I spent 140 days away from home in matches and training camps. But now I want to spend much more time with my family and little son, “added a pupil of Pilsen, who won two league titles with Victoria.
Darida started 76 matches for the national team “A” and scored eight goals. He made his debut in May 2012 in preparation for the European Championships. At the ongoing continental championship, he reached the quarterfinals with the team, where the charges of coach Jaroslav Šilhavý lost to Denmark 1: 2 on Saturday. Recently, Darid became captain after Bořek Dočkal dropped out of the national team.
He played with the national team at three European championships. In 2012 and this year he reached the quarterfinals with her, five years ago the team was eliminated in the group. At the ongoing Euro, Darida started in the basic line-up in all three matches of the group, in the round of 16 against the Netherlands he was missing due to a leg injury and jumped in the quarterfinals only in the 79th minute.
“I had a wonderful time in the national team. Whether as an unexpected Benjamin at my first European Championship nine years ago or now at the third Euro with a captain’s armband. I have always appreciated that I can defend the Czech colors,” said Darida.
“I enjoyed every meeting, match and training. Even though I know I will miss the national cabin, it’s time for me to leave. I wish the boys well. Now go to the World Cup. I’m looking forward to every match that I will watch, and I will support the boys, “added the former player of Pilsen, Sokolov and Freiburg.
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