" BELLAMY TO RETIRE FROM INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL "

Tomorrow's SW Echo back page...Craig Bellamy to quit international football in October this year.

EDITED BY CARLCCFC

Craig Bellamy will call time on his Wales career at the end of the current World Cup campaign.

Bellamy said in February that playing for his country was “like a drug” but, as he approaches his 34th birthday next month, the Cardiff City striker has finally admitted that his Wales journey is almost at an end.

“I won’t see a major tournament, don’t worry about that,” said Bellamy, ruling out the idea of carrying on playing for Wales until the 2016 European Championship.

“I want us to finish third (in Wales’ World Cup group) because we won’t finish first or second and then probably that will be it. I don’t think I will have any more to offer then.

“I’ve had too many knee injuries to go on like Giggsy (Ryan Giggs), the last couple of weeks of the season were tough. A month on I’ve only just started waking up and I’m actually not limping.

“I don’t wish to sound too negative, but if I do get a big injury now that will probably be the end because the time it would take for rehabilitation and to find my peak again. But if I don’t get those injuries I might have an opportunity of staying longer in the game.”

Wales – currently fourth in their World Cup section behind runaway leaders Belgium and Croatia – resume the campaign in September by visiting Macedonia and entertaining Serbia.

The last two qualifiers in October see Macedonia visit Bellamy’s home club ground in Cardiff before Wales head to Belgium for their final group game.

And, though the 73-times capped Bellamy will soon be leaving the international scene without a tournament appearance on his CV, he predicts Wales will soon end the long wait to play at a major finals.

Chris Coleman’s Dragons are packed with Premier League talent in the shape of skipper Ashley Williams, Aaron Ramsey, Joe Allen and others and in Gareth Bale, of course, they have one of the best players in world football.

“I believe in the next four, six, eight years we will qualify for a major tournament, we are just too good not to,” said Bellamy.

“We can talk about potential and this and that, but we have so many good players. If we get the right structure and way of play we will qualify for a major tournament.

“What happened (the death of former manager Gary Speed) did make a dent, but the last few games have got back to where we were.

“I feel we are back on track and there is more quality than we have had for a number of years.”

Tomorrow's SW Echo back page...Craig Bellamy to quit international football in October this year[/quote]

People will slate him for this, no doubt.

34 next month, has a slight dodgy knee and he wants to be fit and injury free for us.

Over 70 appearances

Not totally unexpected. Just read his book & you will see how much he cares for Wales. Good guy.

Wales

I can see the 2013-2014 season being his last too, he has nothing left to achieve with us anymore, maybe try and keep us up but that's it.

It makes sense as many players have made this decision with far less dodgy knees but I could have sworn he said recently he would play on for Wales until he was no longer asked to do so

Glad to hear it club first.

Personally it can only be Good for Cardiff City in My Opinion and they come first to me.

Personally it can only be Good for Cardiff City in My Opinion and they come first to me.

Exactly. Sod Wales.

Personally it can only be Good for Cardiff City in My Opinion and they come first to me.

Absolutely

Unlike Annis, I'm not a big follower of Wales FC but I ABSOULUETLY LOVES MY KAIRDIFF CITY!!

At his age and the injuries he's had the time is right to concentrate solely on club football with Cardiff in the premier.

Personally it can only be Good for Cardiff City in My Opinion and they come first to me.

Exactly. Sod Wales.

As a Welshman I could never say that. Win or lose I 'enjoy' watching my country play, however, it's got to be the right decision for himself & City.

A big whole now has to be filled in the Wales dressing room, I guarantee a lot of players will say its not the the same without Bellers. Class goals against Italy and Norway more recently.

A big whole now has to be filled in the Wales dressing room, I guarantee a lot of players will say its not the the same without Bellers. Class goals against Italy and Norway more recently.

They have a big whole to get fans like me who are boycotting back on track. That is the FAW.