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Ashley Cole Tweets About Retiring From England’s National Football Team

By Patricia Didelot
Published on: 15:07 PST, May 11, 2014

Ashley Cole was not capped as a member of England’s National Football Team by Roy Hodgson. He recently took to Twitter to talk about the surprising decision.

The Chelsea defender is considered by many as one of the best at his position and has been called up for the English National Team 107-times.

Hodgson reportedly called Cole on Sunday night to tell him about his decision and they both agreed that it was time to pass the baton to the younger generation, even though Ashley is only 33-years-old.

In a series of tweets on Sunday night, Cole said farewell to the fans that have supported him throughout his career:

Ashley Cole was capped for the England under-20 team in the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship. Later on he was called up for the under-21 team, where after four starts he was moved up to the senior team in 2001 against Albania.

The Chelsea defender played for England in the 2002 World Cup, Euro 2004 — where he was named one of four England all-star players for the squad — and in the UEFA Euro 2012.

Cole was also crucial in leading England to the quarterfinals of the 2010 World Cup, where they lost by penalties to Portugal.

Luke Shaw, 18, is expected to play in Cole’s position, when Hodgson announces the 23-member team and seven standby players who will wear England’s National jersey at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Hodgson said, leaving Cole out of the English squad was one of the hardest decisions he’s had to make:

“He’s been an incredible competitor for England. To amass over a century of caps is a truly staggering achievement and he deserves enormous credit for the desire and brilliance which has shone through over the years he has represented his country.”

“There are few players who can be considered among the very best in the world, but Ashley in his prime was the best left-back without question.”

Were you surprised to learn that Ashely Cole would not be part of England’s National Football Team?

[Image via CHEN WS / Shutterstock.com]

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