LA Galaxy captain Robbie Keane announced Wednesday that he will retire from international soccer following Ireland’s friendly against Oman in Dublin next week.
The 36-year-old will leave as Ireland’s all-time leader in both goals (67) and appearances (145). He was named to Martin O’Neill’s squad for the August 31 friendly against Oman and ensuing World Cup qualifier at Serbia on September 5, but opted to make the Oman contest at Aviva Stadium his final match for Ireland.
“As a young boy growing up in Dublin playing football on the street I could never have imagined the path my life would take – it has exceeded my wildest expectations,” he wrote in his statement. “I have been extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to play for and captain my country – it was my ultimate goal all those years ago and it has been, by far, my greatest achievement.
“I would never have believed all those years ago that I would get the opportunity to play for my country 145 times and to score 67 goals and through it all, I have never stopped chasing the next one!”
Keane, who played for Ireland at the 2012 and 2016 European Championships and at the 2002 World Cup, also revealed that he intends to continue playing club soccer “for a few more seasons.” Through Week 24, the striker has totaled 80 goals and 45 assists in 121 games across parts of six seasons for LA, including 7 and 2, respectively, this year. Keane earned the 2014 MLS and MLS Cup MVP awards, along with championships in 2011, 2012 and 2014.
