Christian Poulsen has called his retirement from international football with the Denmark national team.
The 32-year old midfielder, currently with French club Evian, has pulled down the curtain on an international career spanning more than a decade and almost 100 caps.
Poulsen, who has previously played with FC Copenhagen, Schalke, Sevilla, Juventus and Liverpool, led the Danes to the 2010 World Cup as captain but has now decided to retire from playing football for his beloved Denmark.
"I was only 22 when I was at the World Cup finals in 2002 and can look back on many exciting matches and four tournaments with the national team," he said.
"I am happy and very proud of my career with the national team.
"My decision is not due to lack of ambition. There are younger players who stand before me, and so my role for the team is no longer the same.
"I therefore think it is a fair decision to leave my place in the squad to the new forces, before the team starts the new qualifying tournament.
"I will miss our very special unity in the squad and wish my team-mates and coaches all the best for the future.
"And I also thank Morten Olsen for his impact on my career at both the national team and with clubs. He has been fantastic for me and for the national team."
