Liverpool midfielder Patrik Berger has decided to quit international football to enable him to spend more time with his family and to concentrate on his career at Anfield.
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"I need to concentrate on playing for Liverpool in all four fronts - the league, two English cups and the Champions League," said the Czech.
"My children are growing up and slipping through my fingers. I want to spend more time with them. I also need some time off to relax.
"I am leaving only a very small backdoor open, perhaps a 10 per cent chance, that I would play for the national team ever again. But otherwise I have decided to quit when the season finishes.
"I want to play football for another 4 years and most of all here in Liverpool. My contract runs out in summer 2003 and I want to extend it."
Meanwhile Czech boss Karel Brueckner has blasted Berger for telling the media that he was quitting before telling him and he admits the likes of Vladimir Smicer could follow Berger.
He said: "He should remember where he grew up, which he has forgotten already. He has opted for a comfortable life.
"Instead of labouring away on the national team, he has decided only to play for the club and take big money. I can see similar trends in Repka, Smicer and others."