Toby Alderweireld retires from international football at 34

Toby Alderweireld has announced his retirement from the Belgian national team aged 34. The centre-back made 127 appearances for them, but was unable to win any major trophies. His best achievement came in the form of a third placed finish at the 2018 Russia World Cup. 

His retirement has been confirmed in an official statement and interview presented by the Belgian FA. And now, he will focus on his club career with Royal Antwerp and his family life. 

Toby Alderweireld retires from international football 

“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,” Toby Alderweireld 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.”

There's only one Mega Toby. 🦸🏻‍♂️🇧🇪 #MerciToby pic.twitter.com/Oe3XrMvG0L

— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) March 6, 2023

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“A very difficult decision, but the right one for me at the moment,” he added in the statement. 

The Belgian played for Ajax, Atletico Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur and Al Duhail prior to moving back to his home country. He was able to help the national team earn rank #1 in FIFA’s World Rankings ahead of giants like Brazil, Spain and Argentina. But despite being a part of the Golden Generation, there is little to show for their quality. 

Alderweireld follows Eden Hazard on the way out of the national team, with the Real Madrid winger announcing his retirement shortly after the 2022 World Cup.