Arsenal defender, Laurent Koscielny has announced his decision to quit international football and focus on recovering form injury.
The 33 year old, however revealed he intends to continue playing club football with Arsenal after recovering from injury.
The veteran defender made the disclosure in an interview with Canal+.
Koscielny further revealed his regrets in missing the 2018 World cup tournament through injury which France went on to win.
“The World Cup will remain a dark spot of my career.”
“The injury was hard to accept. The result was even harder because they won the World Cup. I have a selfish side. I tell myself that I could have been part of the adventure and won the Cup. And I would have it in a corner of my head for the rest my life. It’s difficult and no one can put themself in my shoes.
“I was really happy for them, but also disgusted. You can not feel like a world champion, as the 60 million French could. It’s a strange feeling that during the tournament I wanted them to qualify, but at the same time I wanted them to lose. That was my feeling at the time.”
“It’s my first big injury, mentally you’re getting very strong, you’re learning a lot about football and life, I’ve worked every day at St-Raphael, and put my family aside,” he said.
“These are things in life, and you have to face all of that, during my rehabilitation, I was selfish, I only thought of myself, and I did not pay attention to my family.”
“Deschamps called me once [since the World Cup], during my birthday in September,”Koscielny said. “Lot of people disappointed me, and there are lots of other coaches. It feels like a slap on the face.”
“I think I gave what I could give to the French team.The national team has a very good generation with great players.
“My injury has not changed my decision: for the Blues it’s over for me. But I remain a supporter of the French team.”
“I have a new state of mind, there was the Laurent before, and the Laurent after. I want to continue to Arsenal, and come back quickly, I do not know what level I can have. but I want to fight. “
