The 34-year-old, a goalkeeper with
Arsenal Football Club of England, is his country’s most capped player
with 121 appearances, having made his debut in 2002.
He was part of the Czech side which reached the semi-finals at Euro 2004, losing to eventual champions Greece.
“When I was a kid, my ultimate dream was to play for the national team at least once,’’ he told Arsenal’s website.
“Having done it so many times makes me really proud.’’
His retirement is coming after his
country’s group stage exit at Euro 2016, playing all three games for the
Czech Republic who could only manage one point in Group D.
“This is a purely football-based decision.
“If I want to prolong my career and play
at the highest level for as long as I can, then I will probably need to
find the balance so that I can continue to do so,” he added.
“I’m now 34 and the next (international) tournament is in two years which, in football, is a very long time.
“The last thing I wanted to do was start
a campaign and then say `I don’t think it’s right for me to continue’
halfway through it.’’
Cech moved to Arsenal in June last year
after spending 11 years across London at Chelsea, where he won four
titles and the Champions League trophy in 2012.
NAN
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