Russian Sergei Ignashevich announces his retirement after the release of the World Cup

Russia's most capped player, Sergei Ignashevich, announced his retirement after the hosts were eliminated from the World Cup by Croatia

Ignashevich, 38, who spent his career in Russia, was a key member of his country. He ran in the quarterfinals, playing in each of his five matches.

He obtained 127 caps, scoring nine goals, and holds the record for the most international stakes of all Russian players.

"It was my last World Cup, my last tournament and the last game of my football career. If it was not for the World Cup, I think I would have finished [my career] earlier, "Ignashevich said in a video on social media.

"The World Cup was a strong motivation for me, I feel joy, a sense of peace because I finish on a good note.

" I play at the World Cup. I play in a great team with an excellent coach, a real coach, and with players who give themselves fully to the game. "

Ignashevich was one of the successful penalty shooters in the 4-3 shootout loss in Croatia and was also on the target of the square when they beat Spain with shots.

"Anything can happen to football. But here, no one was dissatisfied, not in the locker room and not on the ground, "he said.

"I plan to receive a coach's license in December. I would like to become a coach, a good coach. "

Midfielder Alexander Samedov, meanwhile, declared that he was ending his international career.

" I decided that it was time for me to d & # 39; To go there. "I'm a little disappointed, but we showed that fans can be proud of our team because we played well," said the TASS news agency, citing the 33-year-old.

"It's a pity that it ends like that, it's hard for me to comment, I'm disappointed because we were one step away from the semifinal."