Xabi Alonso and the 2014 Summer International Retirements XI
This week, Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso announced his international retirement, making the 32-year-old the next in a long line of decorated players to make their exit from the international stage this summer.
After the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, many felt this was the right time to sever ties and focus on prolonging their club careers, be it due to their nation's success or their failure.
Here is our 2014 summer international retirements XI, based on a 4-3-3 formation. Do you agree with our selections?
Goalkeeper: Julio Cesar (Brazil)
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The club career of Julio Cesar has stagnated somewhat since a 2012 move to Queens Park Rangers.
The 34-year-old is looking to resurrect his fortunes, however, after joining Benfica this summer.
Despite this quagmire, Cesar remained Luiz Felipe Scolari's No. 1 for the Brazil squad at this summer's World Cup; the former Inter man had a mixed tournament, as the Selecao reached the semi-finals.
Per Sky Sports, the goalkeeper claimed following the tournament: "The time has come for other goalkeepers, Brazil have six, seven or eight goalkeepers that are easily able to wear Brazil's national team shirt."
Right-Back: Philipp Lahm (Germany)
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With Germany securing the 2014 World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Argentina this summer, versatile defender Philipp Lahm opted to retire on a high.
The right-back, who can also play in midfield, captained the side to glory and was one of Joachim Low's top performers throughout the tournament.
According to BBC Sport, the 30-year-old wrote in an open letter on his announcement: "I am happy and grateful that the end of my career with the national team coincides with winning the World Cup in Brazil."
Lahm made 113 appearances for Germany.
Centre-Back: Per Mertesacker (Germany)
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Following Lahm into the international periphery is gargantuan centre-back Per Mertesacker.
Another World Cup winner, Mertesacker made 104 appearances over 10 years with Germany, and was central to Low's tactical mastery in Brazil.
Focussing on his club career following his retirement, Mertesacker took a similar line to that of Brazil's Cesar, per The Guardian:
"Winning the World Cup was the best possible end to 10 years in the national team. I’ve moved aside to let younger players take over. We don’t have to fret about the future, we are better equipped than ever before.
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Mertesacker made his international debut at just 20 years old.
Centre-Back: Brede Hangeland (Norway)
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Partnering Mertesacker is more of a left-field choice, in the form of Norway and Crystal Palace defender Brede Hangeland.
The towering centre-back joined the Premier League outfit from Fulham this summer, and looks to focus on prolonging his club career with this decision.
Palace's official website quoted the 33-year-old on his announcement:
"For many years I have had a very high load on my body, and now it feels essential to make this decision. I'm very humble and proud to have represented Norway on so many occasions. Playing for Norway has given me some of my best experiences on the football field.
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Hangeland made 91 appearances for Norway.
Left-Back: Ashley Cole (England)
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A disappointing end to a remarkable phase of Ashley Cole's career came this summer as the left-back was omitted from Roy Hodgson's World Cup squad for the Brazil tournament
Leighton Baines and future star Luke Shaw were preferred to the 33-year-old.
This spurred Cole's decision, with Sky Sports quoting the Roma defender's Twitter feed:
"I got the call from Roy and agree England team should be about the young players. I think it best I retire from England team now. Baines and Shaw are great players, proved this season, and are the future of this country, it was a pleasure to get 107 caps.
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This decision proved somewhat of a fallacy, with the left-back position one of England's weakest throughout a dismal tournament.
Centre-Midfield: Xabi Alonso (Spain)
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Alonso is a rare kind of player in that he has developed significantly in his latter years, and his international retirement should prolong this further.
A World Cup, European Championship and Champions League winner, Alonso has received no shortage of decorations throughout his career.
The official website of the Spanish national team (h/t Eurosport) quotes the midfielder on the subject of his retirement: "The hardest thing is knowing when to say goodbye, and after thinking about it, I think that my time with the National squad has come to an end."
The eloquent pass master collected 114 caps for Spain.
Centre-Midfield: Frank Lampard (England)
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The international retirement of England's Frank Lampard this summer is far from a surprise, with the former Chelsea man increasingly marginalised under Roy Hodgson.
After reaching 106 caps for the Three Lions, the midfielder decided this decision was for the best in order to prolong an exceptional club career.
The 36-year-old is currently on loan with Premier League side Manchester City, after joining new MLS franchise New York City on a free transfer this summer.
"It is now the time to move forward and I feel very confident that, with Roy Hodgson in charge, the young players that we have coming through and the changes that are being made throughout the development of the youth system in this country, we will have success in the future and a team that this country deserves.
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Whether this closing statement is accurate or not, Lampard should look to succeed further at club level.
Centre-Midfield: Xavi (Spain)
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Iconic Spanish midfielder Xavi Hernandez called time on his international career this summer, possibly signalling the end of an era for Vicente del Bosque's side.
The fulcrum of the patient, passing side, Xavi became the metronome to which both Spain and Barcelona built their playing styles.
With Xavi and Alonso now out of the picture, Del Bosque will need to look to other, younger options to fill a gaping void.
Xavi is Spain's most-capped outfield player, with 133 appearances in total.
Right-Wing: David Villa (Spain)
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The end of David Villa's sensational Spain career was shrouded in disappointment, with Del Bosque's side slumping home after falling at the first hurdle at this summer's World Cup.
To add insult to injury, Villa was substituted, after scoring a brilliant back-heeled goal, in the side's only tournament victory over Australia.
The 32-year-old left the field in tears as he was replaced by Juan Mata, of great surprise to Del Bosque, who claimed he "didn't know" it was to be Villa's last game, per the Daily Mail.
Villa scored a record 59 goals in 97 international games.
Striker: Miroslav Klose (Germany)
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The final German in this XI is legendary striker Miroslav Klose, who played in his last World Cup this summer at the age of 36.
Joining Villa in what would be a formidable front line, Klose is Germany's all-time leading goalscorer having mustered 71 goals in 137 games.
Under Joachim Low, Klose wasn't a regular starter, but still made an impact in Brazil by becoming the record scorer in the tournament's history, with 16 goals.
Per the German Football Association (h/t BBC Sport), the striker announced: "I am happy and proud to have contributed to this big success for German football. Winning the title in Brazil was a childhood dream come true."
Left-Wing: Franck Ribery (France)
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The final member of this fantastic, individually successful squad is French wide man Franck Ribery, who retired after disappointingly missing this summer's World Cup with a back injury.
Per The Guardian, the Bayern Munich man told German sports magazine Kicker that:
"I want to focus on my family and fully concentrate on my work at Bayern Munich and make way in the national team for the many young and exciting players. You could see at the World Cup that we should have no concerns about France’s future.
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The 31-year-old made 81 appearances for Les Bleus, scoring 16 goals.
How far would this side go in an international tournament? Let us know in the comments below.
