Romania midfielder Dorinel Munteanu has retired from international soccer.
The 38-year-old Munteanu said he wanted to focus on his coaching and playing career at CFR Cluj, one of the top teams in the Romanian league.
Romania coach Victor Piturca said Monday he still needed Munteanu and hoped he would change his mind.
``He's an extraordinary player ... with Dorinel we are stronger,'' Piturca said. ``If he continues to play (at his club) I will keep calling him to the team.''
Munteanu's decision to quit comes just days before Romania plays Belarus in a European Championship qualifier.
Munteanu is Romania's most capped player with 131 international appearance, six more than Gheorghe Hagi.
He played at the 1994 and 1998 World Cups and the 1996 and 2000 European Championships. In club soccer, Munteanu also played for Dinamo Bucharest, Cercle Bruges, FC Cologne and Wolfsburg.
© The Canadian Press, 2007
