Edinson Cavani Announces Retirement From International Football With Uruguay.

• Edinson Cavani has announced on Thursday that he his retiring from international football at age 37 via a lengthy statement on his official Instagram profile.

• The Uruguayan striker will not be representing his country in this summer's Copa América in the United States.

Widely known as “El Matador”, Cavani scored 58 goals in 136 appearances for Uruguay, making him the country's third most-capped player and second all-time leading scorer behind longtime teammate Luis Suárez (68).

He was part of the Sky Blue team that won the 2011 Copa America title in neighbouring Argentina, one of five in which he took part (2015, 2016, 2019 and 2021). 

Cavani made his debut for Uruguay in a 2-2 draw friendly game with Colombia in February 2008, and represented his country at four World Cups (2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022), the first of which in South Africa 2010 when he reached the semi-finals and was voted the tournament’s best player, as well as one Confederations Cup (2013).

His last match with the national team was in Uruguay’s 2-0 victory over Ghana in the first round of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, However, he has not played for Uruguay since they exited in the group stage of the tournament. 

EL CAMINO RECORRIDO ES MI MAYOR RECOMPENSA❤️🇺🇾… pic.twitter.com/o6XK0tzSAH

— Edi Cavani Official (@ECavaniOfficial) May 30, 2024 

"My beloved Celeste (a nickname of the Uruguay national team), I just want to thank you for every lesson you gave me under your process," Cavani wrote on social media.

"I won't take long. Today my words are few but profound. Thanks to every single person who was a part of this road over the years. I was and always will be blessed to have worn this jersey representing what I love most in this world, my country.

"They were without doubt so many wonderful years. I have a thousand things to say, tell and remember, but I want to dedicate today to this new stage of my career and give everything I've got to where I'm supposed to be now.

"I have decided so step aside but with my heart still beating, as it was when it was my turn to take to the pitch wearing this beautiful jersey. Sending a strong embrace to all of my fans."

At club level Cavani had a long career in Europe, most notably with Paris Saint-Germain where he scored 200 goals in all competitions for the Parisian club, and was the club's all-time top scorer before being surpassed by Kylian Mbappé last year.

He won six Ligue 1 titles and five French Cups with PSG between 2014 and 2020. 

Cavani also played for Palermo and Napoli, winning the 2011-12 Coppa Italia.

He also played for Manchester United, spending two years at Old Trafford between 2020 and 2022. He returned to South America to join Argentinian club Boca Juniors in July 2023 where he has a contract until December 2024 after parting ways with LaLiga side Valencia.

Uruguay were drawn in a group with the U.S., Bolivia and Panama at the upcoming Copa America, which starts on June 20.