"Toby Alderweireld has announced his retirement from international soccer, the Belgian federation announced on Monday.
Toby Alderweireld, a member of Belgium's so-called "Golden Generation" of players who finished third in the 2018 World Cup, has announced his retirement from international soccer, the Belgian federation announced on Monday. Alderweireld, 34, who plays for Antwerp in the Belgian league after stints at Ajax, Atletico Madrid, and Tottenham, made his national team debut in 2009.
Alderweireld has retired from international duty after a 13-year international career with 127 caps. Alderweireld, 34, was part of the national team that defeated Brazil to reach the World Cup semi-finals in 2018, but his career ended in disappointment when Belgium was eliminated in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Another member of Belgium's "golden generation," forward Eden Hazard, retired after a disappointing season.
The defender told the Belgian football association's website that it had been his dream as a little boy to play for the national team.
"I am very grateful this dream has become a reality," he said. "With pain in my heart I announce that I will retire from the Belgian Red Devils with immediate effect."
"As a little boy I dreamed of playing for the national team. I am very grateful and proud that this dream has become a reality," he said in a statement released by the federation. "I can look back, 14 years later, on 127 international matches, three World Cups, two European Championships and countless beautiful memories."
Alderweireld said he would now dedicate more time to his family and focus on his club career with Antwerp.
"A very difficult decision, but the right one for me at the moment," he said.
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