Cahill’s one of a kind as great bows out
ONE of Australia’s greatest footballers, Tim Cahill, has announced his retirement from the international game.
The Socceroos legend, 38, confirmed via Twitter that the World Cup Group fixture against Peru was his last game for the national side.
“Today’s (Tuesday) the day that I’m officially hanging up my boots on my international career with the Socceroos,” Cahill tweeted.
“No words can describe what it has meant to represent my country. Massive thank you to everyone for the support throughout all my years wearing the Australian badge.”
Cahill made history at the recent World Cup in Russia, joining the likes of Brazil legend Pele to play in four consecutive tournaments.
Cahill played 107 games for the Socceroos - just missing out on Mark Schwarzer’s record (109 matches) - but finished as Australia’s most prolific goal-scorer, netting fifty international goals.
The versatile aerial magician’s exit from the international arena was not the send off Australia expected, with interim Socceroos coach Bert van Marwijk refusing to bow to public pressure and give Cahill big minutes in Russia.
But Cahill’s lasting legacy will be as the Socceroos’ great talisman, with many of his goals coming at moments when Australia needed them the most.
His double against Japan at Kaiserslautern in 2006 made him the first Australian player to score at the World Cup, transforming him into a national icon in a flash.
He also scored at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups - producing arguably the goal of the tournament at the latter with his volley against the Netherlands to pull them level at 1-1.