Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg may retire from international football prior to the 2006 World Cup.
The Swede, who has suffered a catalogue of injuries this season, said he would stop playing for Sweden in order to prolong his club career.
“We will see. I will not continue until I can’t play anymore,” he said.
“Unfortunately, when we play so much in the Champions League and everything, you can see that many elder players stop a bit earlier with the national team and avoid the strain and thereby cope better with avoiding injuries.”
Roy Keane has recently announced hisinternational retirement and Alan Shearer is a perfect example of a player who has been rejuvenated by ending his international career.
Ljungberg’s teammate at Arsenal, Dennis Bergkamp has also quit playing internationals in favour of improving his club performances.
Still only 25, Ljungberg said that when his body tells him to give up he would take its advice.
“At the moment I don’t have that problem. But when you feel that the body can’t stand it, you have to take that decision.”
