Muscat To Retire

A day after Brazilian great Ronaldo called time on his illustrious career, today Australian centre half Kevin Muscat has also pulled the curtain down.

However, unlike Ronaldo, Muscat will continue to play on until Melbourne Victory’s Asian Champions League campaign.

In a press conference, Muscat lamented his inability to give his all to the team anymore.

“I realised how frustrated I’d become,” Muscat said.

“Turning up for training, not being able to do what I asked of other people and that’s giving 100 per cent.”

Muscat has become the centre of controversy since that challenge on Melbourne Heart’s Adrian Zahra. He has and continues to receive widespread condemnation after the tackle that injured the winger.

It means Muscat has played his last game in the Hyundai A-League.

Former Socceroo Mark Bosnich claimed last night on Australian football magazine show Fox Sports FC that Muscat should make the 2011/12 A-League season his last so he did not go out on the tackle on Zahra.

But the majority of public opinion seems to be quite the contrary. Australian football broadcaster The World Game, received more than 100 comments after rumours about his pending retirement just over 24 hours ago. Many of such remarks were almost of happiness and relief that Muscat would be leaving the game.

Muscat will also stand down from the Victory captaincy handing it over to Adrian Leijer for the A-League finals and also the Asian Champions League.

Rumours continue to surround the hard-nosed defender, with claims that he will move into a position with the Victory coaching staff with the ultimate aim to succeed current coach Ernie Merrick.

Muscat played most of his 21-year career in England with Crystal Palace, Wolves and Millwall, whilst he also had a stint with Rangers in Scotland.

He also amassed 51 caps for the Australian Socceroos.

Unfortunately for Muscat, it seems as though he will be remembered for his crude tackles around the world as opposed to his illustrious career.