Mkhitaryan Retires From International Football At 33
Henrikh Mkhitaryan has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 33.
Mkhitaryan has played for the Armenia national team since 2007, and won 95 caps for his country, scoring 32 goals.
Armenia have never played at the FIFA World Cup or the European championships but Mkhitaryan bows out as arguably his country’s most famous football import.
The former Shakhtar Donetsk, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United and Arsenal midfielder has impressed for AS Roma under Jose Mourinho this season.
In an emotional Instagram post, Mkhitaryan wrote: "Dear Friends, I remember when I first put on my National Team jersey, this was in a friendly against Panama, and my first goal for my nation, in a World Cup qualifier against Estonia.
"I wanted to win every step of my career, no matter how difficult that would be.
"It was an honour to play for my nation for the past 15 years and even more so of an honour to captain it for the last 6 years.
"After 95 international caps, hard work, passion and unprecedented ups and downs along the journey representing my country on the field, I have taken the decision to retire from my international career with the Armenian National Team.
"I came to this decision after my last game against Germany in November. I think it is the right time. I’ve given everything I can possibly give to my National Team.
"For the coming years I will therefore be fully focused on my club career.
"My soccer nest was woven in Armenia, my homeland, and I will forever be grateful to every single person who supported me, who coached me, who I played with and who contributed to my growth as a footballer and as a person.
"Good luck to my National Team!"
