Won EM and Nations League
Rafa Silva surprisingly announced his retirement from the Portuguese national team at the age of 29. The attacker, who made his debut for A Seleção in March 2014 and has won 25 international caps, informed coach Fernando Santos and the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) on Monday that he was no longer available for the national team, sources say in a message from Silva’s club Benfica Lisbon.
“It’s an honest and right decision at this moment in your career,” said Silva, who originally played for the upcoming Nations League games against the Czech Republic (September 24, 8:45 p.m.) and Spain (September 27, 8:45 p.m.). was planned and could raise hopes of a nomination for the World Cup in Qatar at the end of the year.
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“I ask that everyone’s personal reasons be respected. I’ve represented national teams on 40 occasions, I’ve helped win Euro 2016 and the Nations League and I’ll always be in the front row supporting the team of all of us. I am sure that the national team will continue to bring joy to the Portuguese, starting with the Nations League and the 2022 World Cup.”
The FPF responded with understanding to the decision of Silva, who joined Benfica from SC Braga for €16m in the summer of 2016 and has contributed six goals and four assists in 13 games so far this season. “The FPF Board respects the decision of Rafa, who shared with us the two greatest triumphs of the national team, Euro 2016 and the Nations League. Rafa will always be one of us and he deserves our recognition and gratitude,” the panel said.
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