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We had already reported last week about Robbie Keane's retirement from international duty, but it's quite evident he is close to retiring from football altogether very soon. But everybody who has always liked following this player's feats might be wondering what he will do next or if he will be tied to football after he hangs up his boots. The answer is: of course he'll remain close, football is one of the first loves of Robbie Keane's life.
Talking to the local press in Los Angeles, Keano said: "I think it's the right time for me. I certainly have mixed emotions about [retiring]. It's been a wonderful journey and I've enjoyed every minute of it. Wednesday night is going to be very emotional for me and my family, of course. The last week has been very positive from everybody in terms of the messages I've been getting from people I played with, friends and family, but I haven't really reflected on it.
"After the game, on Thursday or Friday, when that curtain finally closes, maybe I'll look back and say, 'You know what, you did okay Rob'. I feel that, physically, I can play for another few years, but this is the right time, in terms of international duty, to finish. I've had an absolutely wonderful career with the Irish team and I have so many great memories, but I think it's the right time."
He will remain for a couple of years as a player at least: "First and foremost I want to continue to play the game that I love. I'm just a lad who loves playing football so I'll continue doing that for as long as possible. If you're asking down the road would I like to be involved [in the Ireland set-up], of course. But for the time being it's important for me to focus on my club career for a couple more years and after that we'll see what happens. Just because I've got my coaching badges and I've got a bit of a name doesn't automatically mean that I'm going to go into management, or that I'll be a good manager or a bad manager. But I've certainly taken the steps to do that. Of course I'd like to stay in the game after I finish playing, but the focus right now is on playing."
About his country's growth in football, Keane added: "I think the future is very bright. The display at the Euros suggests that. I think we have a fantastic manager, fantastic backroom staff and I think we've got great players who have an unbelievable desire to win and an unbelievable team spirit. I think we'll be fine and I think we'll do well in this [World Cup qualifying] campaign. I look forward to watching it from a different perspective now."
Photo credit: LA Galaxy
