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Australian football legend Harry Kewell has announced that he will retire at the end of the A-League season, giving up on his bid to play at his third World Cup in Brazil.
Kewell, 35, will play his final match when he captains Melbourne Heart in their final round match against Western Sydney Wanderers at AAMI Park on April 12.
The former Socceroo appeared philosophical about missing out on the World Cup starting in June, accepting he probably wasn’t part of coach Ange Postecoglou’s plans.
“For the World Cup I can sit back and enjoy it,” he said.
“There’s obviously going to be questions asked about the World Cup but I haven’t been part of the Australian squad for a while.
“For me it was time to step aside and let young players stand up.
“I think they will surprise a lot of people.
“I always said, it was a privilege and honour to play for your country and you’ve got to be playing at the highest level to do that.
“I had a year out and, yes I played well for the Heart in games I played but I think it’s time to pass on and let youngsters step up and be counted for.”
Kewell said he would concentrate on his junior academy and putting back into the sport.
“It’s been tough,” Kewell said of his retirement decision.
“I’ve talked to a lot of people recently and it’s hard because it’s the only sport I’ve ever known.
“I started when I was four and started professionally when I was 17 and had a career of 18 years.
“It’s a life I’ve already lived and now I get a chance to live another one.”
Kewell was the youngest-ever debutant for the Socceroos in 1996 when he played against Chile at the age of 17 years and seven months.
Kewell was considered one of the best players in the world at the turn of the century and the jewel in Leeds’ star-studded crown. He then transferred to Liverpool in 2003, spending five years with the Merseyside giants, where he played in the club’s 2005 European Champions League triumph.
He scored 79 goals and made 68 assists from 381 games in all competitions whilst in England before transferring to Turkish giants Galatasaray.
Kewell announced he would be returning to Australia in 2012, with his wife, Sheree, thought to be particularly fond of Melbourne – and crucial in the decision to go against signing for Kewell’s hometown club, Sydney FC.
Kewell last played for the national team in 2012, chalking up 56 caps. He scored 17 goals, none more famous or important than the goal against Croatia that qualified Australia for the knockout stages of the World Cup in 2006.
The Smithfield-born attacker, who played his junior football with the Smithfield Hotspurs and the Marconi Stallions, was named as Australia’s greatest ever footballer at a gala function in Sydney in 2012.
