Socceroos star Aaron Mooy has been described as an “exceptional talent” after making the “hugely difficult decision” to retire from soccer at 32.
Mooy made the shock announcement on Friday, calling time on his adorned profession at each membership and worldwide ranges.
“I’ve been lucky enough to live out my dreams of playing for Australia,” stated Mooy, who has made 57 appearances for the Socceroos since 2012
“As a young kid, starting out in football you watch the national team on TV and imagine yourself there one day. To have lived that is something I’m truly grateful for.
“I’ve had the honour of playing alongside some of the best footballers that Australia has produced, creating lifelong friendships along the way.
“This has been a hugely difficult decision, but I feel the time is right for the next generation to be given the opportunity to experience international football.”
Mooy has additionally farewelled a formidable membership profession that completed with the excessive of being a part of Celtic’s Scottish treble-winning squad below lately departed Hoops supervisor Ange Postecoglou.
“I am delighted to finish my career on such a high with Celtic and I would like to thank all the fans for the great support they gave me during the past year, I was delighted to be part of such a memorable season,” the stylish midfielder stated.
Newly appointed Celtic supervisor Brendan Rodgers stated Mooy had made the retirement choice “on his own terms”.
“Clearly we are disappointed that Aaron will be retiring, however, it is something we absolutely respect,” Rodgers stated.
“He has done so much in the game for a number of clubs and for his country. and he deserves to make this decision on his own terms.
“I am delighted for Aaron that he has gone out on a real high after making such a telling contribution to Celtic last season and that, together with all his other achievements, should be a real source of pride to him.
“On behalf of everyone at Celtic, I send Aaron and his family our heartfelt best wishes for the future.”
Mooy additionally had stints within the United Kingdom with Bolton, St Mirren, Huddersfield and Brighton, in Australia with Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne City and in China with Shanghai Port.
His time at Huddersfiield was initially a mortgage spell from English Premier League giants Manchester City, who he joined in 2016 from Melbourne City.
Socceroos coach, Graham Arnold was “immensely proud” of Mooy’s achievements.
“We saw Aaron’s qualities as a player on full display in Qatar (at last year’s World Cup),” Arnold stated.
“I thought the same watching him in Russia (at the 2018 World Cup). He was able to rise to the occasion on football’s biggest stage and show just how talented he truly is.
“A player like Aaron is a joy to coach, an exceptional talent who embodied the spirit of the Socceroos every time he took the pitch.
“Aaron would be the first to say he was never the most vocal of players, but he had his own way of leading the group – through his actions.
“That’s something that a lot of our players will have learnt from over the years. He’s left a huge mark on this team and the individuals within it.”
Socceroos captain Mat Ryan, who was additionally a teammate of Mooy’s at Brighton, stated: “I’ve had the privilege of sharing many dressing rooms with Aaron and I’ve been lucky enough to see him go about his business in club football and for the Socceroos.
“(He was) an amazing player who played such an important role for us over the past decade. He’ll certainly be missed.
“What he’s been able to achieve in his career has helped pave the way for the next generation, and we’re now seeing that through the young, Australian talent playing club football overseas and those entering the national team set-up.
“I know he’s not one for the attention an announcement like this brings, but I think it’s important we celebrate what Aaron’s done for the Socceroos and Australian football.
Mooy was grateful for the support he had received throughout his career from the football fraternity and his family.
“I wanted to thank my teammates, coaches and the backroom staff for all their support and guidance during my time with the Socceroos,” he stated.
“The camaraderie amongst the group is something I’ll never forget.
“My family is everything to me and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all for the absolute support I have received from them during my career.”
Source: www.news.com.au
