Caligdong bids adieu

Chieffy Caligdong, the little engine that gave the Philippines some of its memorable football triumphs, has decided to call it quits.

On Wednesday, the cat-quick left winger from Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo announced his retirement from international football, marking an end to a national team career that made him one of the most popular players to ever don an Azkals jersey.

“Ayoko naman isiksik ko sarili ko sa national team kung di ako ready to serve the national team,” Caligdong told the Bulletin when he reflected on his Azkals career that began in 2000 as a promising 18-year- old footballer.

“Siyempre kailangan ko ilagay sarili ko dun sa kung saan ako comfortable. And at the same time, may new challenges ako as a coach so it’s better to end my national team career and to share my knowledge sa mga bata.”

Injuries also played a big role in Caligdong’s decision, which he pondered as early as last year when his appearances were becoming more of a rarity.

“Yun din ang isang factor dahil nagkakaroon na rin ako ng mga major injuries. Kaya sinasabi ko nga na ayoko na maghabol na maghabol (sa national team) at baka ma-abuse ko ang sarili ko,” he said.

He won’t be hanging his football boots for good, though.

Caligdong remains a part of Green Archers United in the United Football League, although there are calls for him to play one more Azkals match in order for fans to see him wear the famous No. 13 jersey for the final time.

Despite being one of the smallest players on the national team, the 5-foot-5 Caligdong played a major role in the Azkals’ dark days up to their emergence as one of the top teams in Southeast Asia.

Caligdong scored 16 international goals, including one that he described as the greatest moment of his football life.