Croatian defender Dejan Lovren introduced his worldwide retirement on Thursday, following a storied run with the “Fiery Ones” that included second and third place finishes on the World Cup.
“The time has come to say my final goodbye to the Croatian national team,” mentioned Lovren in a message printed by the Croatian Football Federation.
Lovren added that he had made this choice “with an open heart and after a lot of consideration”.
The 33-year-old’s worldwide profession spanned for 14 years. The defender was instrumental to Croatia’s World Cup underdog runs, together with the second place end in Russia in 2018 and the third place win in Qatar final 12 months.
“As a child, I dreamt of playing at major tournaments and getting to put on that red-and-white shirt. I put on the Croatian checkers for the first time when I was nine years old and I will never forget that special feeling — like putting on Superman’s cape,” mentioned Lovren.
The coach of Croatia’s nationwide crew Zlatko Dalic hailed Lovren as “one of the locker room leaders” able to “motivating the whole team” who was “a real fighter” and “the player you want to have in your ranks in every battle”.
“In his career, he faced a lot of criticism and mistrust, but he was always a formidable fighter who can … be very proud of what he has achieved,” mentioned Dalic in an announcement.
The centre-back was closely criticised final 12 months, after he was filmed singing a Croatian track that includes a pro-Nazi slogan from World War Two, however Lovren insisted that the tune was “not fascist at all”.
The participant additionally claimed to be misunderstood after he tweeted a photograph which appeared to indicate him cancelling his Disney+ subscription simply after the American media firm had made clear its opposition to Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ laws.
Lovren began his profession in Dinamo Zagreb earlier than transferring overseas — first to Lyon and later Southampton, earlier than a memorable stint at Liverpool, the place he received titles within the Premier League and Champions League.
Lovren later spent three seasons at Zenit in Saint-Petersburg earlier than returning to Lyon in January.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com