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Socceroos great Harry Kewell has announced he will retire at the end of the A-League season, giving up on his bid to play at a third World Cup in Brazil.
The 35-year-old attacker has endured yet another injury-hit campaign since signing a one-season deal with the A-League club, and will bow out at the end of the season.
Kewell is currently out of action after injuring his ribs but it’s believed he’s aiming to be fit for a farewell game against Western Sydney Wanderers next month.
He was the Socceroos’ youngest-ever debutant when he played for Australia in 1996 against Chile at age 17 years and seven months.
Kewell plans to play his final match when he captains second-last Melbourne Heart in their final round match against Western Sydney Wanderers at AAMI Park on April 12.
After another injury-marred season, Kewell appeared philosophical about missing out on the World Cup starting in June, accepting he probably wasn’t part of coach Ange Postecoglou’s plans.
“For the World Cup I can sit back and enjoy it,” he said.
“There’s obviously going to be questions asked about the World Cup but I haven’t been part of the Australian squad for a while.
“For me it was time to step aside and let young players stand up.
“I think they will surprise a lot of people.
“I always said, it was a privilege and honour to play for your country and you’ve got to be playing at the highest level to do that.
“I had a year out and, yes I played well for the Heart in games I played but I think it’s time to pass on and let youngsters step up and be counted for.”
FFA CEO David Gallop lauded Kewell’s contribution to the game:
“Harry was a genuine superstar for the Socceroos and his clubs in Europe and Australia, “said Gallop. “Harry made football cool for generations of Aussie kids.
“His goal against Croatia in 2006 delivered our best ever World Cup finish and his return to the A-League in 2011 was the spark that set off the huge increases in crowds and TV ratings.
“On behalf of the football community, I congratulate Harry on a marvellous career and wish him well with the next part of his journey. We’ll find the best way to allow the public to pay tribute, including when we say farewell to the Socceroos at ANZ Stadium on 26 May.”
Harry Kewell
Born: Harold Kewell to parents Rod and Helen
Birthplace: Smithfield in Sydney’s western suburbs
Date of Birth: 22 September 1978
Junior clubs:
Smithfield Hotspurs, Marconi Stallions, Leeds United
Senior clubs:
1996-2003: Leeds United (242 games, 63 goals)
2003-08: Liverpool (138 games, 18 goals)
2008-11: Galatasaray (76 games, 28 goals)
2011-12: Melbourne Victory (25 games, 8 goals)
2013: Al-Gharafa (3 games, 1 goal)
2013-14: Melbourne Heart (15 games, 2 goals)
Socceroos:
1996-2012 Australia (56 caps, 17 goals)
Highs and lows of Kewell’s career:
1995 – Signs a contract at English club Leeds United after impressing on a trial
1996 – Makes Leeds debut in March at just 17 in a 1-0 loss to Middlesbrough. Becomes youngest ever Socceroo against Chile at 17 years, seven months
2000 – Voted English Premier League Young Player of the Year by his peers ahead of Steven Gerrard and Robbie Keane. Along with fellow Socceroo Mark Viduka, helps Leeds to third place in the EPL
2001 – Part of Leeds’ fairy-tale run to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals
2003 – Moves amid acrimony to Liverpool for five million pounds, with Kewell and agent Bernie Mandic accused of “stabbing Leeds fans in the back” by the Leeds chairman
2005 – Becomes first Australian to win the UEFA Champions League but limps out of Liverpool’s final victory after just 22 minutes. Scores penalty in a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay to help the Socceroos reach the World Cup for the first time in 32 years
2006 – Wins the FA Cup with Liverpool despite coming off in the final against West Ham with a groin injury. Scores crucial late goal in a World Cup group match against Croatia to help secure passage to the second stage. Misses the 1-0 last-16 loss to eventual champions Italy with a left foot injury
2007 – Makes only three appearances in the whole season for Liverpool because of injury but comes off the bench in the 2-1 Champions League final loss to AC Milan
2008 – Moves to Galatasaray and enjoys most prolific scoring form of his career
2010 – Plays just 24 minutes at the 2010 World Cup after being sent off for hand-ball in a 1-1 draw against Ghana
2011 – Enjoys his best international tournament at the 2011 Asian Cup, starting every game and scoring in the quarter- and semi-finals before Australia lost the final 1-0 to Japan. Ends speculation by signing for A-League giants Melbourne Victory on a three-year contract but plays just one season before returning to the UK, citing an illness to his wife’s mother
2012 – Named Australia’s greatest ever player by the FFA
2013 – After two seasons largely out of football – playing just three games for Qatari side Al-Gharafa – Kewell returns to Melbourne to captain Victory’s cross-town rivals Heart
2014 – Yet another injury-prone season leads Kewell to retire at 35 years of age, just weeks before the 2014 World Cup.
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