Controversial frontman set to call time on career?Check in to Hull City vs Cardiff City
Cardiff City striker Craig Bellamy has dropped a huge hint suggesting that he could retire from the game at the end of the season, the Daily Mail reports.
At 34-years-old the Welshman’s best days are behind him, and after witnessing another disappointing defeat with the national team in last Friday’s World Cup qualifier against Macedonia, he has been given a cause for reflection as he enters the twilight of his career.
Bellamy won his 75th cap in Skopje and is in the squad again to face Serbia this week. The defeat to Macedonia means that Wales’ slim hopes of making it to Brazil next year are all but over, and he now thinks it might be the right time to hang his international boots up despite saying that he would never turn his back on his country, though his club career could soon follow.
“I don’t think the next campaign is going to be possible for me. I’ve always said I wouldn’t retire from playing for my country and I really want this group to succeed,” he said.
“If I started, I would be robbing someone else of two matches, four matches of vital experience.
“I’ve thought about it really hard. I’m a single parent now and I’m having such a battle to see my kids on a daily basis.
“It’s so hard. Then, being away for 10 days… I’m not the only dad who has to go through it, but if you experienced it, you would understand.
“You lads know it’s work but as far as they are concerned, I’m just having a great time in Macedonia.”
However, he did leave room for changing his mind at a later date.
“My mood does change. I know I could change what I’m thinking.
“But the way I’m feeling now, it could be my last season in football. I have got so much to look forward to.
“Life isn’t just about football. The adventure starts when you finish. And I’m looking forward to that.
I’ve been playing at a professional level for 17, 18 years now and there’s more to life. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve cherished every moment of it.”