Blind exits the Dutch national team after 108 caps

Dutch defender Daley Blind announced his retirement from international football on Wednesday, following 108 games for the Netherlands.
“After a good conversation with the national coach, it is time to fully focus on my club and my family,” he said on social media.

“It was a privilege to wear the Oranje shirt 108 times; for me, representing your nation is the ultimate ambition a player can achieve.

“For 11 years, I’ve done everything I could to maintain wearing that stunning Oranje shirt. “It has given me so much,” he continued.

The 34-year-old was only used once as a stoppage time replacement by Dutch coach Ronald Koeman during the European Championship in Germany in June and July. He had a brief appearance in the last 16 against Romania in Munich, but he stayed on the bench for the remainder of the games.

The Dutch advanced to the semi-finals of the event.

The former Ajax Amsterdam, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich star said at the Euros that he had accepted his job as a reserve.

“It is not an easy role, but I still think it is a great honor to play for the Dutch national team and to be at a European Championship,” he told reporters at the time.

Blind made his international debut against Italy in 2013 and now ranks sixth among Dutch players in terms of appearances.