Keane to retire from Ireland duty, will continue club football

Record Republic of Ireland scorer Robbie Keane has decided to retire from international football, with Wednesday's friendly against Oman set to be his farewell match.

Keane, who represented his country in two European Championships and one World Cup, also led all active internationals with 67 goals.

His 145 appearances in the green jersey is also unmatched.

The 36-year-old expressed his gratitude in a statement Wednesday:

Today, I am announcing my decision to retire from international football following the upcoming game with Oman on 31st August in the Aviva Stadium.

It has been a wonderful journey for me to have played with the Irish national team for over 18 years since I made my senior international debut back in 1998. I have enjoyed it all.

It has also been a great honour, for both me and my family, to have been given the opportunity to captain my country for over 10 years.

As a young boy growing up in Dublin playing football on the street I could never have imagined the path my life would take - it has exceeded my wildest expectations.

I have been extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to play for and captain my country - it was my ultimate goal all those years ago and it has been, by far, my greatest achievement.

Keane has no such desire to hang up his boots altogether. Although his contract with the LA Galaxy expires at the end of the current MLS season, he added, "I love my time playing with LA Galaxy and intend to focus my energies on continuing my club football for a few more seasons."

Hours before the announcement, Keane was named to Ireland's 28-man squad for next month's opening 2018 World Cup qualifier against Serbia.

But it's now understood he will not travel to Belgrade with the rest of his countrymen.

Keane paid special tribute to former Ireland manager Mick McCarthy, who handed him his first international cap in March 1998. The former Tottenham man scored his first senior goals a few months later in a 5-0 win over Malta.

There were plenty more celebrations to come. His cartwheels became a national obsession, and he soon developed a reputation as a dangerous poacher.

His last-minute equaliser against Germany at the 2002 World Cup was the most memorable of his many goals. Ireland later advanced from the group stage with the help of that vital point.

(Courtesy: FA Ireland)

"Robbie's appearances and goals for Ireland speak for themselves," Ireland manager Martin O'Neill said. "He is undoubtedly one of Ireland's finest ever players, and I do not see his international goal record being beaten for a very long time, if ever. It will take us some time to get over his absence."