New Zealand captain Winston Reid will retire from worldwide soccer after Sunday’s pleasant towards Australia in entrance of dwelling followers in Auckland, the previous West Ham United stalwart stated on Monday. The 34-year-old defender, considered one of his nation’s most interesting gamers, has been capped 32 instances for the ‘All Whites’, with practically half as captain.
Born in Auckland however raised in Denmark, Reid represented Denmark at junior ranges earlier than switching allegiance to New Zealand forward of the 2010 World Cup the place he scored a memorable purpose towards Slovakia. “The World Cup was particular for me as a result of I used to be very younger and enjoying and scoring in it was superb,” he stated in a press release.
“It is one thing I will all the time be glad about and grateful for. However I have been lucky sufficient to have an extended profession, for each membership and nation, and captaining the nationwide crew has been an honour.” Regardless of battling accidents all through his profession, the centre again made greater than 200 appearances for West Ham earlier than ending his 11-year affiliation with the London membership final yr.
He led New Zealand to a sixth-place end eventually yr’s Tokyo Olympics, the nation’s finest Video games efficiency within the sport. All Whites coach Danny Hay stated ‘Winnie’ had proved that New Zealanders may compete on the elite stage.
“Winnie is a real legend of New Zealand soccer who paved the way in which for future gamers, together with different legends like Ryan Nelsen, exhibiting {that a} Kiwi child may do it on the highest stage of the sport,” he added. New Zealand play Australia in Brisbane on Thursday earlier than heading dwelling for the second pleasant in Auckland.
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