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Joe Allen RETIRES Wales service at 32 after playing 74 games for the Dragons and says “time and injury have taken their toll”… with the former Liverpool midfielder set to “make way for the next generation”.
- Former Liverpool star Joe Allen has retired from the Wales national team
- Allen inspired Wales to the Euro 2016 semi-finals and was capped 74 times
- Swansea midfielder says he wants to usher in the next generation
Former Liverpool and Stoke midfielder Joe Allen has announced his retirement from the Wales national team, stating he wants to “make way for the next generation”.
Allen played 74 games during his time with the Dragons and was part of the team that reached the Euro 2016 semi-finals with Chris Coleman, as the team lost 2-0 to eventual winners Portugal.
Now at Swansea, Allen was also part of the Wales squad that traveled to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup, briefly featuring in their 2-0 defeat against Iran before starting in their 3-0 defeat to England, which would be his last appearance. .
The 32-year-old said ‘time and injury’ had taken their toll and he was ready to step aside to give the youngster a chance to reclaim the caps under Rob Page.
“Playing for Wales has been a great passion and love in my life, I have been extremely lucky,” he said in a statement published by the Welsh FA.
Former Liverpool and Stoke midfielder Joe Allen has announced his retirement from Wales
Allen was capped 74 times and was part of the team that reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016.
“I have shared this journey with amazing people… my family, teammates, staff and fans have made it special and I am so grateful to all of you.
‘The support of our nation is inspiring, and it has given me immense pride to wear the jersey… so many unforgettable experiences.
“Unfortunately, time and injuries take their toll, so it’s time we ushered in our next generation. The future of Welsh football is bright. All the best, Joe.
The Swansea product Allen made his Welsh debut in 2009 and was part of the so-called ‘Golden Generation’, which included Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey.
He was part of the so-called ‘golden generation’ of Wales along with striker Gareth Bale (C)
Allen was named in the official squad for Euro 2016, Wales’ first major tournament in 58 years, when they reached the semi-finals in France.
He also helped Wales qualify for Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the latter the nation’s first appearance on the world stage since 1958.
His retirement comes after Bale also announced he would be leaving the Wales service last month, with the former Real Madrid player hanging up his boots entirely in a shock announcement.
Neco Williams was the first player from Wales to pay tribute to Allen, posting a photo of the pair together on social media and writing “legend”.
The player’s departure from the international scene is another blow to Wales manager Robert Page, who watched his captain and the country’s talisman Bale retire from football last month.
Wales begin their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with matches against Croatia and Latvia next month.