Daley Blind retires from international football

Former Netherlands international and professional footballer Daley Blind has officially announced his retirement from international football, concluding a distinguished career that saw him earn 108 caps for his country. The 34-year-old defender made the announcement on Wednesday, expressing his desire to make way for a "talented new generation" of players. Blind was a key member of the Dutch squad that reached the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup and the quarter-finals in 2022, both times falling to Argentina. In a heartfelt message shared on social media platform X, Blind reflected on his time representing the Netherlands, stating, “It was an honour to wear the Oranje shirt 108 times.” He emphasized the importance of focusing on his club career and family following discussions with the national team manager. Blind's career began in the Ajax youth system, where he won four consecutive Eredivisie titles before moving to Manchester United in 2014 for £14 million. During his time at United, Blind celebrated victories in both the FA Cup and the Europa League. He later returned to Ajax, contributing to three more Eredivisie titles, before joining Bayern Munich in January 2023. Blind's career faced challenges, including a heart condition diagnosed in 2019, but he persevered, continuing to play at a high level. His last appearance for the national team was as a substitute against Romania at Euro 2024, marking the end of an era for the talented defender.