Manchester City midfield ace Stephen Ireland can see more and more top players dropping out of international football.
Having stepped down from his Republic of Ireland commitments, Ireland told the Mirror: "Personally, I think internationals are going to be something of the past.
"The pride of it and all that, I just think it's getting lesser and lesser.
"Players these days don't see as pride in their country, they see it more as a chore, you know 'God, I have to go again'. That was the way it always was for me.
"I think you'll be surprised how many players - young ones at that - who will retire from international football after the World Cup.
"Look how many games they play a year, and all the pressure from club football, it's hard to see many players really enjoying international football any more."
