Flash – Irish star Robbie Keane has retired permanently for 38 years

Dublin (Reuters) – Irish footballer Robbie Keane announced Wednesday his retirement, saying his career, which lasted more than two decades, had exceeded expectations.

The 38-year-old is the top scorer in the history of the Republic of Ireland with 68 goals, far ahead of the second, Niall Quinn, 21, who will focus on his new duties as Assistant of his new coach, Neil McCarthy.

He has been captain for a decade. "Today, after 23 wonderful years, has officially announced the retirement of professional football."

"From Cromlin United to cities around the world such as Milan, London and Los Angeles, I had not imagined this trend during my football career … I missed everything I dreamed of to be a crazy football player when I grew up in Dublin. "

Keane scored 126 goals in 349 Premiership games, including 90 goals with Tottenham Hotspur, while defending Liverpool, Leeds United and Coventry.

In the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan, he also played twice in Europe and 146 caps.

I have enjoyed every moment of this incredible trip with Ireland over the past 18 years and, as I have said many times before, I can not speak of my pride in the world. to be Irish, "he said.

© 2018 AFP