Guinea-Bissau Captain Retires From International Football

Guinea-Bissau captain Jose Luis Mendes Lopes Zezinho has retired from international football.

The 26-year-old announced on Thursday that he was calling time on his career of nine years and 31 caps, the seventh-highest total in the country’s history.

“I’m proud to have played for and captained my country. For that, I thank you,” the FK Senika midfielder said via a statement translated from Portuguese.

He added: “After having given nine years’ service to the national team I am now at a stage where physically I am struggling to balance the demands of playing in Slovakia with the number of games required by Guinea-Bissau.”

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “There is a lot of very good young talent coming through and perhaps it is time for them to be given an opportunity.”   [/perfectpullquote]

Zezinho’ retirement was widely anticipated after Guinea-Bissau were consigned in Egypt to a quickest Africa Cup of Nations exit, although he says he did not discuss the issue with embattled coach Baciro Cande.

Zezinho made his international debut at the age of 18 against Kenya in 2010.

Fredrick Mendy, who was given a cool reception by some Guinea-Bissau supporters during the team’s final Africa Cup of Nations game against Benin is among the frontrunners to succeed Zezihno.