FIFA World Cup 2018 has been shocking from day one. So far, big teams which were considered good contestants for the cup have been eliminated from the tournament.
However, did you know that some great players have announced retirement due to such disappointments? Well, here are five players who announced international retirement in disgrace:
1.Essam El-HadaryEgypt had a disappointing elimination from the Group stages after losing all their matches. With one of the top players in their team, Mohamed Salah, they were expected to do well but instead got crashed from all sides. It was a disappointing time for the Pharaohs’ shot-stopper as he announced his retirement from international football.
2. Bruno AlvesPortugal was knocked out by Uruguay in their round of 16. It was Edinson Cavani who sunk Portugal’s hope of continuing in the tournament with his two goals. However, this was not only the end of the road for Bruno Alves, who had played for his country for 96 times. That was a very disappointing way to end his international career.
3. Lucas BigliaThe Argentine midfielder has joined a number of his teammates in retirement. At 32 years, he has played for his team for 58 times. Lucas retires from international football after being smashed 4-3 in the round of 16 by France.
4. Javier MascheranoThis is another Argentina player to announce retirement. The 34-year-old has played for his country 147 times. He announced retirement immediately after the final whistle of their 4-3 loss to France in the round of 16.
5. Andres IniestaAndres Iniesta’s Spain were knocked out of the round of 16 in the penalty shootout by hosts Russia. The 2010 World Cup champions will be without Iniesta after he announced immediately after the game he had retired from international football. The 34-year-old has played for his country 131 times.
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