BREAKING NEWS: Nemanja Matic Retires From Football

Nemanja Matic has decided to call time on his international career with Serbia, allowing the experienced midfielder to focus his full attention on events at Manchester United.

At 32 years of age, and with 48 caps to his name, the former Chelsea star believes the time has come for him to step aside.

He no longer wishes to be considered for selection by his country, with the path being cleared for a new generation to step up in his absence.

Serbia had been hoping that Matic would stay on for the foreseeable future, as they can still qualify for next summer’s European Championship.

That event is among those to have been pushed back by12 months amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Matic could have lined up in a play-off semi-final meeting with Norway had he kept himself in contention.

The winners of that contest will then face either Scotland or Israel in November for the right to compete in the rescheduled Euro 2020.