Belgium defender Toby Alderweireld retires from international football
Former Tottenham and Atletico Madrid center-back Toby Alderweireld has retired from international football.
The 34-year-old center-back made his debut for Belgium in 2009 against Chile and played 127 times for his country over 13 years. He is the third most-capped player in Belgium's history.
Former Tottenham defender played for Belgium at three World Cups and two European Championships. He was a member of the squad that finished third at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Alderweireld played in 3 matches at the
2022 World Cup, but Belgium exited at the group stage.
"As a little boy, I dreamed of playing for the national team,"
Alderweireld told the Belgium national team's official website.
"I am very grateful and proud that this dream has become a reality.
"I can look back, 14 years later, on 127 international matches, three World Cups, two European Championships and countless beautiful memories.
"With pain in my heart, I announce that I will retire from the Red Devils with immediate effect I have given myself completely, physically and mentally.
"I want to thank all my team-mates and the staff for the unforgettable moments we shared together. Without them, none of this would have been possible.”
Alderweireld began his career at Ajax and then moved to Atletico Madrid in 2013. He joined Tottenham Hotspur in 2015 and left the club in 2021 to join Al-Duhail in Qatar. Alderweireld currently plays for his hometown club Royal Antwerp.
Belgium will play against Sweden in the Euro 2024 qualifier round under new coach Domenico Tedesco later this month.
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