Edinson Cavani Retires from Uruguay National Team to Focus on Boca Juniors Career

Uruguayan football legend Edinson Cavani has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 37. Cavani, who is Uruguay's second-highest scorer with 58 goals, made the decision to step away from the national team to concentrate on his club career with Boca Juniors.

Cavani debuted for Uruguay in 2008 and has since earned 136 caps, making him the country's third most-capped player. He represented Uruguay in four World Cups, starting with the 2010 tournament where the team reached the semi-finals. His international career highlights include winning the 2011 Copa America in Argentina.

In a heartfelt message on Instagram, Cavani expressed his appreciation to his supporters and his love for representing Uruguay. "I have been and always will be blessed to have pulled on this shirt to represent what I love most in the world, my country," he wrote. "I want to dedicate myself to this new stage of my career and give everything I have to where I need to be."

Cavani's club career has been equally illustrious. He has played for top European clubs such as Napoli, Paris Saint-Germain, and Manchester United. During his time at Paris Saint-Germain, he won six Ligue 1 titles and five French Cups, scoring 200 goals in all competitions. He also won the 2011-12 Coppa Italia with Napoli. In July 2023, Cavani joined Boca Juniors after leaving Valencia.

Cavani's decision to retire from international football comes just three weeks before the start of the Copa America tournament in the United States. His last appearance for Uruguay was during the 2022 World Cup group stage, where the team faced Ghana. Despite his retirement, Cavani remains committed to supporting the national team.

Luis Suarez, Cavani's long-time teammate and Uruguay's highest scorer, paid tribute to Cavani on social media. "When we celebrated our first goal together we were two children who dreamed of taking our country to the top," Suarez wrote. "Your name will always be marked in the history of our football and our country. As a Uruguayan, I thank you for everything you did for the national team."

Cavani's retirement marks the end of an era for Uruguay's national team. His contributions on the field have left a lasting legacy, and his presence will be missed. As he focuses on his club career with Boca Juniors, fans will continue to follow his progress and celebrate his achievements.

Key Takeaways

• Edinson Cavani retires from international football at 37.
• Cavani is Uruguay's 2nd-highest scorer with 58 goals.
• He earned 136 caps, making him Uruguay's 3rd most-capped player.
• Cavani won the 2011 Copa America and represented Uruguay in 4 World Cups.
• He'll focus on his club career with Boca Juniors after retiring from international duty.