International Football's Premature Break-ups

Football is one of the most beautifully cruel arts n the world.

What causes eternal euphoria for some results in lingering melancholia    
for others. The tears of joy of German fans were just as heart-felt as those of grievance from the Argentinians.

One thing that is always sad, however, is to see a man retire too early from international football. The greatest honour in football is representing your country, and if you are forced to stop (for any reason), it will most definitely crush you.

Here are 5 men who had to give that up for a multitude of reason:

John Terry

Once hailed amongst England’s best-ever captains (and retaining that status in this writer’s opinion), a series of media attacks on his public image loomed large over an otherwise stellar footballing career, and resulted in his being stripped of it twice.

Despite being England’s best defender and captain, the Chelsea hero was forced to step down from what was always his greatest pride in football due to persistent persecution by the British media and - most importantly - the British FA. England fans can only wonder what might’ve been of their team if Gary Cahill had been partnered by the best defender in the world as opposed to Phil Jagielka.

John Terry retired with 78 caps on the 23rd of September 2012.

Ricardo Carvalho

The other half of the best defensive partnership in English footballing history also fell out with his nation in similar circumstances.

Accused of "desertion" by fiery coach Paulo Bento (who led his Portugal team to a disastrous World Cup and a failure of a 2012 Euro), the experienced Portuguese title-winner was forced to leave his national team due to the nonsensical doubts about his commitment to the cause.

A superb defender with a cool head and a ruthless attitude, Ricardo Carvalho would have been a major help in stopping routs like this years 4-0 to Germany.

Ricardo Carvalho retired with 75 caps on the 31st of August 2011

Paul Scholes

The mercurial Manchester United legend retired from international football due to "family issues" but has been one of the English national team’s biggest critics.

His claims that there was always a lack of passion and that players were using the national jersey to hawk themselves out to rich clubs has been substantiated by Harry Redknapp and were probably what made him quit in the first place.

A terrific midfielder who has shown himself to be one of the greatest passers in the last couple of decades, his midfield presence might’ve ensure England would’ve learnt to keep possession by now - they can’t.

Paul Scholes retired on the 3rd of August 2004.

Pavel Nedved

Juventus’ Furia Ceca was one of the classiest midfielder of the 2000s. He was stylish and steely, and his long-range strikes were of the highest order. However, after his nation’s World Cup exit in 2006, he retired from international football.

He is one of the most decorated Czech players in history, and one of football’s finest; winning the Ballon D’Or in 2003. He could dribble, shoot, pass and cross with both feet, and remains one of the classiest footballers in recent history.

Ever since his retirement, the Czech national team have not qualified for a World Cup.

Pavel Nedved retired on the 15th of August 2006.

Philipp Lahm

Bayern Munich’s Magic Dwarf - and Germany’s World Cup winning captain is no more a part of their international setup.

After conquering the ultimate glory in the finest World Cup ever, the German stalwart has announced his departure from international football. Despite the fact that many (including this writer) believe that he could go on to captain his fantastic unit to victory in Russia, he has decided to leave after doing the single greatest thing any footballer can do in their career.

He has run and fought tirelessly and become a perfect example of the model German footballer, and he embodies the geometric, efficient nature of his nation’s footballing model.

One of Loew’s most trusted lieutenants, he has repaid his nation and the world in great style with some of the finest performances ever from full-back, and nobody will begrudge him his moment. He deserves to bow out in grace.