Czechia striker Patrik Schick has announced his retirement from international football following his country's elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, bringing an end to a distinguished 10-year career with the national team.
The 30-year-old Bayer Leverkusen forward confirmed his decision in a statement posted on Instagram just hours after Czechia's 3-0 defeat to co-host Mexico in their final Group A match.
The loss left the Czechs at the bottom of the group with one point, ending their World Cup campaign.
"Today, my national team chapter is coming to an end," Schick wrote. "I am leaving proud of what I have achieved in the national team jersey, but at the same time with the feeling that Czech football has much more to offer than it has shown in recent years."
Schick made his international debut in May 2016 in a friendly against Malta, scoring in his first appearance.
He finishes his international career with 56 caps and 26 goals, although he was unable to find the net during the 2026 World Cup.
The forward enjoyed some of his greatest international success at UEFA Euro 2020, where he shared the tournament's Golden Boot with Cristiano Ronaldo after scoring five goals.
Among his most memorable moments was his spectacular long-range strike against Scotland, widely regarded as one of the greatest goals in European Championship history, as Czechia advanced to the quarterfinals.
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