RYAN GIGGS will today announce his shock decision to retire
from international football. The Wales skipper has decided to call
it a day in a bid to extend his career at Manchester United. And
the revelation comes just three days ahead of Wales crunch Euro
2008 clash with the Czech Republic when he is due to win his 64th
cap.
Giggs, 33, won a record-breaking ninth League title with United
this season and played a major part in their triumph. He is just 43
appearances adrift of matching Bobby Charltons club landmark of
759 games. But with his Old Trafford contract due to expire next
summer, Giggs effectively has one season left to do it.
He follows in the footsteps of United team-mate Paul Scholes, who
quit England in 2004 and has reaped the benefits for his club. The
news will come as a huge blow to coach John Toshack, who made Giggs
his captain in the hope the wing ace would play on until the 2010
World Cup.
But Giggs has found the demands of club and country huge after
playing 44 games for United boss Alex Ferguson this term. Wales are
unlikely to qualify for the Euro 2008 finals next summer after
losing three of the first five games.
