'THE TIME IS RIGHT' Player retires from international football as ex-Man Utd star writes emotional farewell to Country

The 31-year-old retires having scored 18 times in his 87 appearances in the Belgium jersey. MAROUANE FELLAINI has announced his retirement for international football after 12 years serving for Belgium.

The ex-Manchester United midfielder took to Twitter to announce the news, claiming “the time is right” to step away from international duty - and thanked his Belgium colleagues.

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Fellaini said: "After 12 years of representing Belgium at the highest level, I have decided to

retire from senior international football.

"It has not been an easy decision for me and not one I take lightly however I feel that the time is right for me to step down and allow the next generation of Belgian players to continue this very successful period in Belgian football history.

"It has been an honour to represent my country 87 times and to be part of two World Cups and a European Championship campaign for Belgium.

"I have many amazing memories with the Red Devils from my debut in 2007 to last year's World Cup in Russia and I am very proud Belgium is currently No 1 in FIFA's world rankings.

"I want to thank all those who have been part of my international career especially my team-mates, many of whom will be friends for life and all the coaches I have worked with.

"I would like to also thanks all the Belgian fans who have travelled the world to support us.

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“I wish the manager and the squad every success for the upcoming European Qualifiers. Thank you Belgium."

The 31-year-old retires having scored 18 times in his 87 appearances in the Belgium jersey.

Fellaini made five appearances in the 2018 World Cup helping Belgium reach the semi-finals - where they were knocked out by eventual winners France.https://www.thesun.co.uk/world-cup-2018/6746290/france-1-belgium-0-samuel-umtiti-header-final/

The Shandong Luneng Taishan man scored in his country's dramatic 3-2 win against Japan in the last 16.