COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) 鈥� Denmark and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who was part of the , has announced his retirement from soccer because of a serious shoulder injury.
鈥淲hen my contract with Celtic expires in June, my career as an active footballer stops,鈥� Schmeichel said in an interview with TV2 in Denmark broadcast Wednesday. “I think this is the right time now to announce that I have played my last professional football match.鈥�
The 39-year-old Schmeichel has been sidelined since February.
Schmeichel 鈥� the son of former Manchester United great Peter Schmeichel 鈥� revealed in March he required two surgeries but that he wanted to try to salvage his career.
The former Manchester City, Leeds, Nice and Anderlecht keeper, who played at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, said 鈥渋t鈥檚 not how I would have wanted my career to end.鈥�
Schmeichel鈥檚 last appearance for Denmark was in its World Cup qualification defeat against Scotland in November.
DBU, Danish soccer鈥檚 governing body, posted on X: 鈥淔rom debut in Skopje to World Cup debut against Peru, big saves against some of the world鈥檚 best nations, a Euro semifinal at Wembley and much more. 13 years. 120 matches for the National Team. Thanks for unforgettable moments, Kasper.鈥�
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