Serbia winger Dusan Tadic retires from national team

ANKARA

Serbian winger Dusan Tadic retired from international football on Thursday.

"... The main reason for this announcement is that I have made the decision to say goodbye to the jersey of the Serbian national team," Tadic said on Instagram.

"I stand by the views I expressed. I emphasize that I had no intention of insulting my teammates or anyone else who was part of the Serbian team in Germany, so I have the need to explain certain things about which I know there was controversy for the last time," The 35-year-old said after he had publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with Serbia head coach Dragan Stojkovic for not letting him play more during the EURO 2024.

Tadic, a Serbia player since 2008, said that playing for his nation "has always been a love" for him.

"Love for the country, love for the people, love for the game, competition, socializing... We went through a lot together - joy, sadness, smiles, blood, happiness, and there was a lot of pain and suffering," Tadic said and adding that it was a "privilege" to play for Serbia at the FIFA World Cup finals twice, and the EURO 2024 as well as the Olympics.

"I was never interested in records, and the captain's armband brought special responsibility, honor and trust," he said.

"I am saying goodbye to the national team, but I believe that one day I will be there again," Tadic remarked and thanked the Serbian fans for their applause and criticism.

Tadic, who is Serbia's all-time most-capped player with 111 appearances, netted 23 goals.

Last season he joined Fenerbahce from Dutch giants Ajax to be the Turkish club's regular. Tadic scored 16 goals and made 16 assists in 56 appearances for Fenerbahce during the 2023-24 season.

Tadic had played for England's Southampton before Ajax, where he won three Dutch league titles.