Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar has confirmed that he is to step away from international football following the completion of the World Cup, in the hope that a new generation of Selecao stars can flourish in time for the next tournament in 2018.
The man with 87 caps told reporters after Saturday’s Holland defeat: “This is probably my last World Cup.”
“To play in the Copa America in 2015, at the age of 35, would be quite complicated. To go there without having the 2018 World Cup in mind would be selfish on my part.”
“The time has come for other goalkeepers and I think Brazil has seven or eight that are quite capable of pulling on the national jersey.”
Regarding the hosts’ elimination at the hands of Germany last week, Cesar added: “It is a sad moment for Brazilian football. Now I think it is time to relax and try to forget about all of this.”
