Atiba Hutchinson, the Canadian team cap and record holder, has announced he will retire from the national team after Sunday’s CONCACAF Nations League final against the United States. The now 40-year-old footballer has so far played 104 times for the national team.
Experienced midfielder, former m.in. FC Copenhagen, PSV Eindhoven and Besiktas Istanbul made their debuts for Canada in 2003. He will play for the last time on Sunday night to Monday Polish time when his side face the United States.
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“It’s been an incredible 20 years of playing football, wearing our beautiful country’s shirt. We’ve come to a point where it’s time for me to stop and put my cleats away after this game,” Hutchinson said.
“I think now is the perfect time,” added the 40-year-old midfielder, who holds his country’s record for most appearances.
He was part of the national team that played the World Cup in Qatar at the end of 2022 (Canada was eliminated after the group stage). Hutchinson has become one of the oldest players in World Cup history.
In the past he played in the Swedish (Oesters IF, Helsingborg), Danish (FC Copenhagen), Dutch (PSV Eindhoven) league, but he spent most of his time in Turkey – from 2013 he played for Besiktas, from which he recently separated.
The 40-year-old footballer has yet to say whether he plans to continue his career at another club, saying only that he wants to spend time with his family.
fdz, PAP
