Soccer News : Retirement of two greats

Ali Daei has announced his retirement after leading Saipa to the Iranian league title. He had previously played for german sides Armenia Bielefeld, Bayern Munich, and Hertha Berlin. With Hertha, he scored against the likes of AC Milan and Chelsea in the 2000/01 Champions League season.


This also ends an illustrious career in which he scored a remarkable 109 goals in 149 international matches from 1993 through 2006, making him the most prolific scorer in FIFA history. He shall always be remembered for proving asian soccer players can make it at the big stage as well.




Ryan Giggs also will play his last game for Wales in their Euro 2008 qualifier against the Czech Republic this Saturday. The decision was mainly influenced by the increasing difficulty of juggling between international and club duties with Manchester United, at his current age of 33.


This factor coupled with Wales seemingly dismal campaign to qualify for the Euro 2008 can be considered a wise decision. As Wales captain, Giggs will earn his 64th cap in that match, but will regret not having played in a single major international tournament since he was first capped 16 years ago.