Slovakia captain Hamšík retires from international soccer

By: The Associated Press Posted: 7:40 AM CDT Monday, May. 23, 2022

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — Slovakia captain Marek Hamšík is retiring from international soccer.

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BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — Slovakia captain Marek Hamšík is retiring from international soccer.

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This article was published 23/05/2022 (1595 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — Slovakia captain Marek Hamšík is retiring from international soccer.

“I’ve been considering it for a long time but after 15 years I decided to close an important and wonderful part of my soccer career,” Hamšík wrote on Facebook on Monday.

The 34-year-old playmaker made his international debut in a friendly against Poland in 2007. He has played a record of 135 international matches for his country and scored a record 26 goals.

FILE - In this Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020 file photo, Slovakia's Marek Hamsik looks to pass the ball during the Euro 2020 playoff semifinal soccer match between Northern Ireland and Slovakia at Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland. On Monday May 23, 2022, Slovakia captain Marek Hamsik has announced his retirement from international soccer. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison, File)

Hamšík captained Slovakia to its only World Cup appearance at the 2010 tournament in South Africa, where the Slovaks eliminated defending champion Italy and reached the round of 16.

“It was a huge privilege to lead the national team as captain in more than 50 games,” Hamsik said.

With Hamšík, Slovakia also qualified for the 2016 and 2020 European Championships.

“He deserves our respect and admiration,” Slovakia national coach Štefan Tarkovič said. ”An era of Hamšík and (Martin) Škrtel is coming to an end.”

At the club level, Hamsik spent his best years in Napoli from 2007-19. He won the Turkish league with Trabzonspor this season.