Eduardo retires from the national team

With 64 caps and 29 goals to his name, Eduardo Alves da Silva retired from the Croatian national football team as Croatia's second best goalscorer in history.

"I would like to inform you that I do not intend to represent the Croatian national football team anymore.

In the previous ten years, I have been capped 64 times, including the debut against the Republic of Ireland in 2004. I have scored 29 times, therefore being the second best goalscorer in Croatia's history, and the best goalscorer among active players.

With great pride and joy I have played in Croatia's jersey throughout the world and tried to justify the head coaches' confidence by giving my best. Moreover, it was equally important to justify the confidence of our supporters, and I give them my special thank you.

Amongst the national team staff I have made many friends and gained professional experience. I would like to thank them all, as well as the previous head coaches, for their trust and help reaching the higher professional levels.

I will remember only the good side of my caps for Croatia. I can not say that there have not been difficult, and some bitter moments, especially in the last couple of years. I can not help but feel that these bitter moments are the consequence of the activities of some persons that are influencing the national team and the coaching staff, and I feel that I have therefore been deprived of fair and just treatment.

This influence, according to my opinion, has reduced the level of the possible achievements of the Croatian national team, and I wish more success in the future", said Eduardo Alves da Silva in his letter.

The match against Cameroon at the World Cup in Brazil will thus remain the last in his international career. His first appearance was against the Republic of Ireland on 16 Novemeber 2004, and Eduardo scored his first international goal in a friendly match against Hong Kong on 1 February 2006.

Croatian Football Federation would like to thank Eduardo for a significant contribution to the national side. His performances, his behaviour and his goals justified the trust of the Croatian Football Federation and head coaches. In the best possible way, Eduardo seized the opportunity to represent Croatia, and his international career is a fine example of integration, being accepted by head coaches, teammates and supporters.

Croatian Football Federation wishes Eduardo the best of luck, good health, lot of success and many goals in the club future.

"Each player has the right to choose his availability for the national team selection, and we will respect Eduardo's decision. I have shared the dressing room with him as a player and I highly value his football abilities. I would like to thank Eduardo for his contribution and I wish him all the luck in world in the future", said Croatia head coach Niko Kovač.

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