The forward Roque Santa Cruz, the top scorer of the Paraguayan national team, with 32 goals and 111 matches played, announced today that he will leave the Albirroja after the matches against Peru and Bolivia, for which he has been called up in the South American qualifiers for Russia 2018.
"With this call-up, I will conclude my stage in the national team," said 35-year-old Santa Cruz, at a press conference in Ypane, the headquarters of the Albirroja, where he was accompanied by defender Paulo Da Silva, from Toluca.
"It is a decision that hurts, it is difficult, but at some point, it has to be made," added the former striker of Malaga and Bayern Munich, currently playing for Paraguayan Olimpia.
The player, who asked journalists not to dwell on the topic of his retirement, was called up last week by Francisco Arce for the matches against Peru, this Thursday in Asuncion, and against Bolivia, on November 15 in La Paz.
Paraguay is seventh in the standings with 15 points, Peru is eighth with 11, and Bolivia is ninth with 4.
With Paraguay, Santa Cruz played in three World Cups (2002, 2006, and 2010) and four Copa America (1999, 2007, 2011, and 2015).