Dario Simic: I’m Leaving Croatian National Team

I decided, the game in Slovenia, my 100th game in the Croatian jersey, is the last in my career, Dario Simic said.

The news that Dario Simic was leaving the Croatian national football team hung over football fans like a dark loud for days now and now Simic has confirmed the news.

For some time now people have speculated that he would leave the team for which he played 100 games, which is a record in the history of the Croatian Football Association.

- I have decided. The game in Slovenia, my 100^th game in the Croatian football jersey, is the last in my career. I have thought about this for a long time and I finally made up my mind. Although I still feel capable of responding to the demands of top football, it is time to make room for the younger generation. The era I spent as a Croatian national football player from 1997 to this day is something most beautiful a professional football player can have. So I am leaving the team fulfilled, proud of the team’s and my own achievements – Dario Simic told Sportske novosti.

- I am leaving without any bitterness towards anybody or anything. This is the natural order of things in football and a logical decision that has been forging for a long time. Thank you all for the support during my years of playing. I wish coach Bilic and the players to achieve our goals and secure placement in the World Championships in 2010. In any case I am now one of their fierce supporters – Dario said.