Czech midfielder and current European Footballer of the Year Pavel Nedved has announced his retirement form the international scene with immediate effect.
Nedved, who suffered injury heartache during the Czech Republic’s Euro 2004 semi-final defeat to Greece, admitted that his desire to win the Champions League lay behind his decision to quit.
“You never get tired of winning awards, but I am now missing just the one trophy, the one I care the most about: the Champions’ League.”
Nedved also reopened the debate about international federations paying their players’ wages.
“It isn’t right that I should injure myself with the Czech Republic when Juve are the ones paying my wages,” added Nedved. “I must give my all for the Bianconieri now and cannot wait to recover from this setback.”
Nedved is still out with the knee injury sustained against Greece, and will miss his side’s Champions League qualifier against Djurgarden or Kaunas.
