Is international football becoming a chore?
Stephen Ireland’s recent comments regarding international football seems to suggest a trend of top young players turning their backs on representing their countries. Should we fear for the future of the international game?
Despite an unbeaten qualifying campaign thus fair, coming within seconds of defeating the world champions, and in the running for qualifying for their first major tournament in 8 years, Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni spends most of his time fielding questions about 2 players not involved in his squad: Andy Reid and Stephen Ireland. In the minutes after his side’s thrilling 2-2 draw with Italy on Saturday night, Trapattoni was quizzed about the absence of Reid from the squad. Reid’s exclusion is a managerial one, whilst Ireland’s is self inflicted. The Manchester City midfielder’s view of international football is quite damning, and are we going to have a scenario of more 21-year-olds ascending into international retirement at such a young age? Ireland made the following comments in an interview with the Daily Mirror last week:
“Personally, I think internationals are going to be something of the past,” he said. “The pride of it and all that, I just think it’s getting lesser and lesser.
“Players these days don’t see as pride in their country, they see it more as a chore, you know ‘God, I have to go again’. That was the way it always was for me.
“I think you’ll be surprised how many players – young ones at that – who will retire from international football after the World Cup.”
There are rumours coming out of the French camp that Karim Benzema is frustrated with his role in the national side. A goal-scoring substitute against the Faroe Islands, his international manager Raymond Domenech was hugely critical of the forward following September’s draw with Romania. Real Madrid’s £35 million signing is quoted as saying “it doesn’t go well” for him under Domenceh. With 7 goals in 26 caps, he is yet to recreate his explosive form at Lyon on the international stage . At just 21, France could be losing their potential leading light for the next decade.
We have seen plenty of players within the British Isles retiring from their respective countries in this decade. Alan Shearer is probably the most famous example of them all. After 63 caps and 30 goals for England, he gave up England duty aged 29. His body could not survive the rigours of playing for Newcastle and England, and was plagued with knee problems throughout his career. He gave the reason of prolonging his club career, and played for Newcastle until 2006. His childhood dream of becoming Newcastle’s top scorer was realised with 206 goals. That’s all the justification he needs for turning his back on the international game.
Paul Schloes ‘England career also ended at 29, after a Euro 2004 spent playing on the left of midfield. He cited family reasons for his retirement, with a frustration at been made the scapegoat at the peak of the Lampard-Gerrard debate lurking under the surface. Clubmate Ryan Giggs went 9 years without playing a friendly game for Wales, and played just 64 times in a 16-year career with his country. Sir Alex Ferguson, despite being a former Scotland manager, is not a fan of international breaks and is still up to his old tricks. Darren Fletcher and Wayne Rooney are ‘unavailable’ for Scotland and England this week. Keep an eye their availability for Manchester United hosting Bolton on Saturday.
For such a small nation, Wales seem to have more retirees than most. Captain Craig Bellamy mentioned today that he is considering hanging up his Welsh boots, as he could be playing Champions League football next season. At 30, and with his injury record, it’s understandable. But Bellamy always enjoyed playing for his country, unlike Jason Koumas. A player of untapped potential, a fear of flying meant he only amassed 34 caps, and didn’t play an international match outside the United Kingdom for two-and-a-half years between September 2005 and March 2008. Add this to the loss of Paul Parry, Carl Robinson and Carl Fletcher, along with manager John Toshank’s very public falling out with Robbie Savage, the Welsh have had their resources stretched to the limit.
Some players don’t play for their countries due to the manager. Glasgow Rangers pair Kris Boyd and Lee McCullough won’t turn out for Scotland due to a serious personality clash with Coach George Burley. Juan Roman Riquelme’s dispute with Argentina coach Diego Maradona turned into a slagging match, riling fans of Boca Juniors to the extent that Maradona was labelled a ‘traitor’ by the supporters who once idolised him
Whilst all the examples previously have been of players approaching their 30s, this trend of talented young players bemoaning international duty at such a young age is worrying. The Champions League is seen as the be-all and end-all these days, with Liverpool’s Jamie Carragher stating all the best players in the world play in the competition. There are enviably going to be some big names missing from next year’s World Cup in South Africa.
Perhaps these youngsters should look at the examples of Steven Gerrard and Cristanio Ronaldo. 2 of the world game’s biggest names, 2 hugely patriotic men, who see the honour in representing their respective countries. Ronaldo was clearly not fully fit taking the field for Portugal against Hungary, and only lasted 27 minutes. Employers Real Madrid were not best pleased. Gerrard has been troubled by a groin injury for over a year now, with has led him to miss games for club and country, but his autobiography showed his undoubted passion in wearing an England shirt.
Should Ireland qualify for South Africa next summer, you can be 99% sure that Stephen Ireland will not be on the plane over. That in itself is a shame. This would be the perfect stage for him to display his undoubted talents. Greats of the game like Cruyff, Pele and Maradona all made their name on the international stage in major tournaments. Whist most of the power in the 21st century lies with the clubs, the international game will always have its place. Not only those it brings football fans together, but countries come to a standstill when their national side are involved in a World Cup. Maybe then, Ireland would realise it is not a chore. It is a privilege.
Perhaps these youngsters should look at the examples of Steven Gerrard and Cristanio Ronaldo. 2 of the world game’s biggest names, 2 hugely patriotic men, who see the honour in representing their respective countries
What? Gerrard skips every non-important game, hence why last year Capello was so enraged he ordered him to fly down to verify he was actually injured. Luckily for Stevie G, he actually was that time.
Hi Alessio,
Gerrard has missed some friendlies over the years, as has Rooney who is another very patriotic Englishman. That was scandalous Gerrard was forced to travel down to London last year when he was clearly unfit. He has been dogged by groin trouble for a year, he missed games against Chelsea and Arsenal in the run-in last season. It also meant he failed to start against Manchester United in September 2008. 3 of Liverpool’s biggest games last year.
I just feel that that throughout his international career he was been used in so many positions, and not complained once about it. He has played in holding midfield,right-back, left-midfield and just got on with it. He has rarely played his favoured role as a second striker, but it did take a number of managers quite a while to figure out how best use Gerrard’s explosive talents. Plus Rooney has that position tied up at present.Paul Scholes moaned about been played out of position and eventually retired, but no-one ever questioned his loyalty to the cause.People defended his decision, and he was entitled to do so if he wished. However, the holier than thou reputation Scholes built up is not warranted. He went in and around 20 games without scoring for England, and he was kept in the team, eventually pushed in a role that didn’t suit his game. And he complained about it.
Gerrard has done his talking for England on the pitch, perhaps not reached the heights of his Liverpool exploits, but if that’s not being patriotic, then I don’t know what is.
I personally think playing for your country is the biggest honor, but you’re right it’s becoming an inconvenience to the day jobs (playing for their clubs) as they’re the employers.
I think it’s a problem with the International fixture list being too full and too many fixtures played. I wrote an article a few months ago about how UEFA and FIFA really have to work on this and work with clubs, which they have done to an extent. It’s now up to the country and the clubs to make it right.
The ideal situation is to play for your country in the World Cup, but everything isn’t as black and white as that unfortunately and that has to be accepted.
Not only should it be a highlight of your career to play for your country due to being patriotic there’s also the element of timing.
Being eliminated from the Champions League is one thing — there’s always next season. Failing to get to the World Cup is quite another — the chance may not come around again and it’s that additional pressure that makes the World Cup stand out so much.
Paul, I think you make a very persuasive case. At the same time, I’m hesitant about completely polarising this as a club or country matter. I think there are times when country will win out, if not for patriotic reasons then for commercial ones – the World Cup being the most obvious case in point. Even at the dizzy heights of the Premier League or La Liga, the World Cup is still a huge deal – a global obsession sustained over 4 weeks!
Partly because of that, I have to confess that I am mystified by Stephen Ireland. Is it that he’s just immature or has a travel phobia? And even if either or both of those things are true, how come they aren’t trumped by the desire for exposure which lurks in the heart of every Premier League player? It beggars belief that he can be so cavalier about the World Cup.
The case with Stephen Ireland is that apparently he was ‘bullied’ about his hair when he went to play for the national team once so he doesn’t want to play for them again.
He made an excuse that his grandma was unwell even though she wasn’t so he’s clearly trying to avoid something there and for the time being he’s not going to make himself available for Ireland. Shame because I feel with International and Champions League experience he could be come a real top player.
I thought he lied about his grandmother to cover up for the fact that his girlfriend had just had a miscarriage, and he thought he’d be seen as soft if he admitted it. I hadn’t heard the part about his hair though, that’s quite funny.
I think the comments he came out with are part of his own justification for not playing. I’m sure he’ll realise what he’s missing if Ireland make it to SA.
Don’t you think it’s more than a little ridiculous that it’s expected that players may complain if played out of position? Why should they complain, if Gerrard or anyone else for that matter complained I was playing him out of position in the national team, he wouldn’t play again. Ultimately they are getting paid to kick a ball about, I’d play any position the coach wanted, surely they are good enough that they can adapt?
Personally I think there should be more international games, as it’s one of the few forms of the sport that has any purity left in it. Looking at the World Cup squads for 2010, there are only 2 international breaks between now and the time the squads are announced, making it very difficult for a fringe player to get in at this stage.
The argument about players getting injured on international duty is irrelevant, it’s part and parcel of the game. They could have been injured playing for their club just as easily. If a player is worried about getting injured while playing for his country he can withdraw, but that effectively ends his chances of playing on the biggest stage in the world.
In my point of view a World Cup remains something unique in terms of challenge. Like Steve wrote above here, one of the few forms left that has any purity. Ireland (country) has a chance of eliminating France in two games and clinch a berth, with or without Stephen. I hope to see Ireland in SA, without the bold one from City.
I agree completely with Steve’s comments regarding how it remains the purest form of the game. Even Spain and Brazil, the 2 best international sides in world football, have glaring weaknesses. Both lack top-quality left-backs, but they cannot just go out and remedy the situation by buying a player. They have to make make do with what they have.
The World Cup is the greatest show on earth. It is how I became interested in football in the first place during Italia ’90. Even though looking back on it, it was a poor tournament, full of cynical play and the most boring final in history.
The Stephen Ireland situation is very disappointing, the ‘Grannygate’ story has been done to death in this country. The story goes that 2 members of the squad held Ireland down, and started jeering him about his hair. It’s such a pity, he only played 6 games for the country, scoring 4 goals, but he really seemed to be finding his feet at international level. He played exceptionally well in consectutive Euro 2008 qualifers against Wales and Slovakia in March ’07. But alas, the Irish will be playing France without their most outstanding talent.