Denmark captain Kjaer calls time on international career

Denmark captain Simon Kjaer, who helped save the life of teammate Christian Eriksen after his cardiac arrest at Euro 2020, brought an end to his international career on Friday.

"There is a last time for everything. I have decided to retire from the Denmark national team after 15 fantastic years in red and white," the 35-year-old Kjaer wrote on social media.

Kjaer has been without a club since leaving AC Milan at the end of last season, with injuries limiting his playing time in recent years.

He went to Euro 2024 but didn't play a single minute as Denmark lost to Germany in the last 16.

Kjaer's 132 caps are second most all-time for Denmark, just behind Eriksen (134).

His quick thinking in the aftermath of Eriksen's collapse in the Euro 2020 game against Finland drew widespread praise and earned him the Uefa President's Award.

Kjaer was first to give emergency treatment on the field before he and his teammates formed a circle around Eriksen as the medical team worked to save the player's life.

The centre-back made his international debut in 2009 and travelled to six major tournaments, leading Denmark to the semifinals of Euro 2020 after the trauma of the Eriksen incident.