Poborsky hangs up his boots
The Czech Republic's most capped ever footballer Karel Poborsky,
pictured in 2004, retired from the sport on Monday.
The 35-year-old Ceske Budejovice midfielder said he had lost his
enthusiasm for the game, which saw him win 118 caps - scoring eight
goals and featuring in the Euro '96 final as well as the Euro 2004
semi-finals.
"I made my mind up during the winter break," said Poborsky, who is
also president of the First Division club.
"It was becoming more and more difficult to get motivated.
"I have invested in lots of other concerns, and no matter how
difficult it is for me to say, I am no longer happy with football,"
added Poborsky, who ended his playing career with a 2-1 defeat at
the hands of one of his former clubs Slavia Prague.
Poborsky, who also played for Manchester United, Benfica, Lazio and
Sparta Prague and last month became technical director of the
national side, said that he had hugely enjoyed his career.
"I won several national championships, I played in three European
Championships finals and one World Cup," said Poborsky, who was
part of the squad that failed to live up to expectations at last
year's World Cup finals where they crashed out in the first
round.
"I was named best player of my country and my career brought me
many happy moments."
