Hamsik ends record international career

Slovakia playmaker Marek Hamsik said Monday he had ended his international career of 15 years.

The 34-year-old midfielder, who currently plays for Turkish top-flight side Trabzonspor, has scored a record-high 26 goals in 135 games for Slovakia, which is also a record.

"It wasn't easy, I took a long time to think, but I have decided to end this important and wonderful part of my football career," Hamsik said on Facebook.

"It was a long and beautiful journey I am very proud of," added Hamsik, who spent most of his career at Napoli in Serie A.

Hamsik, a long-time Slovakia captain known for his Cherokee hairstyle, led Slovakia to the 2010 World Cup knockout phase and at Euro 2016 and 2020, the latter of which was pushed back to 2021 because of Covid-19.