- Edinson is a Uruguayan striker and Primera División club Boca Juniors
- He has retired from international football ahead of the Copa America
- He wants to focus on his club career
Edinson Cavani, Uruguayan and Boca Juniors striker has announced his retirement from international football ahead of the Copa America, as he wants to focus on his club career.
He has been a mainstay for the country’s national team earned 136 caps and scored 58 goals in international matches. The 37-year-old has participated in ten major international tournaments: four FIFA World Cups, five Copa America and one FIFA Confederations Cup.
In the 2010 World Cup, he scored and his goal helped Uruguay finish fourth place in the tournament, and in the next year, he was part of the Uruguay squad that won a record fifteen Copa America titles.
His official reason for his retirement from international football is to focus on dedicating himself to a new stage in his club career. At the age of 37, he is almost at the end of his playing career and might want to maximize his remaining years playing club football.
Cavani’s international career
He has represented Uruguay internationally since making his debut in 2008 when he scored a goal for his country against Colombia, a start that was marked by a high tone. His scoring prowess continued, eventually becoming Uruguay’s second-highest all-time scorer.
Edinson Cavani. Photo/Sky Sports
In his international career, he scored 58 goals and was capped 136 times, becoming the third most-capped player in the country’s history. He participated in ten major tournaments: Four FIFA World Cups in 2010, 2014,2018 and 2022, five Copa America and one FIFA Confederation Cup.
He was also part of the Uruguay squad that lifted the Copa America trophy in 2011, which is Uruguay’s record 15th title. His name is etched in Uruguayan football history alongside other legends for his consistent performances at major tournaments.
Cavani’s decision to retire from international football
His desire to retire comes ahead of the Copa America which will be in three weeks. He recently made the announcement and in an Instagram post he said, “I decided to step aside, but I will follow you with my beating heart forever in the same way that I used to do when I got to play with this beautiful shirt.”
He added that his decision for retirement is to focus on his club career. The striker has played at the past four World Cups and his last match was in Uruguay’s victory over Ghana in the group stages of the 2022 World Cup.
His announcement has been met with attributes from fans who have shown their love for the player and some even asking him why he did not wait to play at the Copa America before he retires. This is a testament that they believe in him for the victory of their country.
There is no official reason for his retirement but he stated that he wanted to give everything he has to where he needs to be and this suggests a desire to focus on his performance at the club level.
The desire to focus on his performance at the club level could be due to several reasons like age, new challenges and physical demands. At the age of 37, he is nearing the end of his playing career and might want to maximize his remaining years playing club football.
Edinson Cavani. Photo/Sky Sports
He is currently playing for Boca Juniors in Argentina where focusing on adapting and succeeding could be a priority. This could be a challenge when it comes to balancing the demands of club and international football, hence his decision to retire from international playing.
Cavani legacy
His international career legacy is broad. First, he is a goal scoring legend, the second highest all-time scorer with 58 goals that has cemented his place as an offensive force for Uruguay over a long period.
He thrived in major tournaments and especially in the 2010 World Cup semi final run where he earned the Best Player award and was part of the 2011 Copa America championship squad. His legacy is etched in the history of the country’s football history as being part of a generation that achieved great things.
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