FC Bayern Munchen News

Bayern Munich midfielder Arturo Vidal has announced his retirement from the Chilean national team following their failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

The 30-year-old was flirting with the prospect of retiring earlier this year when a 3-0 defeat to Paraguay, in which Vidal scored an own goal, left his beloved nation stunned.

“Many thanks to all for everything!!” Vidal wrote. “Throughout all these years I gave my life in every match [and] learned [a lot] and taught a country that with a little bit of strength and hard work everything is possible!!!

“My soul is destroyed but at the same time proud of these players and technical staff!!!”

Vidal has taken the decision to retire before reaching a century of games for his country. The former Juventus star, who is widely regarded as the best box-to-box midfielder in world football, has registered 95 appearances for La Roja, scoring 23 goals.

At club level, Vidal is enduring an equally turbulent time in Bavaria. Sat five points behind Borussia Dortmund and level on points with TSG Hoffenheim, a club whose manager is younger than the Chilean powerhouse, Bayern could miss out on the Bundesliga title this season.

With club icon Jupp Heynckes coming in to replace the sacked Carlo Ancelotti, Bayern return to Bundesliga action when they host SC Freiburg on Saturday. Coupled with Dortmund’s match with RB Leipzig this weekend, Bayern will be hoping to close the gap at the top of the league table.

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Netherlands captain Arjen Robben has announced his retirement from international football after his side missed out on qualification for the 2018 World Cup on Tuesday night.

Despite a double from Robben, the second a 20-yard stunner, handing the Netherlands a 2-0 win over Sweden, the result still fell some way short of the seven goal margin of victory they needed to leapfrog the Swedes into a playoff place.

That means the Oranje have now missed out on consecutive major tournaments, having also failed to qualify for last year’s European Championships in France.

Almost immediately after full time, reports began to emerge that the Oranje would suffer a second blow of the night with the news that Robben was set to step back from international football.

The Bayern Munich midfielder made his international debut in a friendly against Portugal in 2003, and was part of the Netherlands side that lost 1-0 to Spain in the final of the 2010 World Cup, before being handed the captaincy of the national side in 2015.

Altogether, Robben has made 96 appearances for the national side, the ninth-highest in Dutch history, scoring 37 goals in that time, putting him fourth on Holland’s all-time top scorers list.

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Netherlands captain Arjen Robben has announced his retirement from international football after the side missed out on qualification for the 2018 World Cup on Tuesday night.

Despite a double from Robben, the second a twenty-yard stunner, handing the Netherlands a 2-0 win over Sweden, the result still fell some way short of the seven goal margin of victory they needed to leapfrog the Swedes into a play-off place.

That means the Oranje have now missed out on two consecutive major tournaments, having also failed to qualify for last year’s European Championships in France.

Almost immediately after full time, reports began to emerge that the Oranje would suffer a second blow of the night with the news that Robben was set to step back from international football.

The Bayern Munich midfielder made his international debut in a friendly against Portugal in 2003, and was part of the Netherlands side that lost 1-0 to Spain in the final of the 2010 World Cup, before being handed the captaincy of the national side in 2015.

Altogether, Robben has made 96 appearances for the national side, the ninth highest in Dutch history, scoring 37 goals in that time, putting him fourth on Holland’s all time scorers list.

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Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal has responded to claims that his side will be allowed to win against Brazil in their final match in World Cup qualifying – with Tite’s men already packing their bags for Russia 2018.

Chile, whilst sat third in their qualifying group (top four earn a place in next summer’s tournament), are not yet certain to be going to the competition. However, a victory on Tuesday night against Brazil will ensure their progression, and claims have been made that Brazil will allow it. But speaking ahead of the tie, Vidal has rubbished such reports:

?“I think it is not possible for Brazil to let it win, if I were in their place, I would play my life. The teams that fight need a win, everyone will look for that, the one who plays better will qualify,” Vidal told Goal.

“[Chile] has everything to qualify for the World Cup, we did not have a good start because several players did not have preseason last year.

“We worked hard to be in this place, if in these We would have been a little luckier, we would be closer to the World Cup.”

One team at risk of missing the competition is Argentina, and Vidal has spoken of his desire to see Lionel Messi play in Russia:

“Sampaoli in Argentina is different, with us we had started a process with the same players, always the same scheme. Sampaoli came to Argentina at a difficult time, he likes to work with the players, he has not had time in Argentina, he is among the top 5 technicians in the world. 

“In the world cups always have to be the best in the world, I want Messi to be, he’s the best in the world, but today things have changed, it’s difficult for everyone, including Argentina.”

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