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Rosicky may follow Baros' lead

Milan Baros has announced his retirement from international football with the Czech Republic, and Tomas Rosicky admits he may be next.

Striker quits international football, as playmaker considers options

Milan Baros has announced his retirement from international football with the Czech Republic, and Tomas Rosicky admits he may be next. The Czechs bowed out of Euro 2012 on Thursday as they suffered a 1-0 quarter-final defeat to Portugal. Rosicky was unable to play any part in that encounter, stripping the Czechs of their skipper and most creative influence. The Arsenal playmaker admits another niggling knock, this time to his Achilles, means he must think long and hard about whether he will pull on the colours of his country again. "I would love to continue, but on the other hand I'm not the youngest anymore and have had problems with my fitness," the 31-year-old told the Gunners' official website. "I will take time to think about it. As I say, I would love to continue but I'm not stupid - I know I'm getting older and have to think about what is good for me."

Emotional

While Rosicky is mulling over his options, Baros has already taken the plunge. The former Liverpool striker, who is now on the books of Galatasaray, has decided to step out of the international arena. Baros walks away having made 93 appearances for the Czech Republic and scored 41 goals. "He only said it to the guys in the locker room, I can't quote him," said Czech team spokesman Jaroslav Kolar in the wake of the Portugal defeat. "The other players and the coach reacted with a big applause that lasted about five minutes. It was pretty long and it was pretty emotional."

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