Belgrade, Oct 12: Serbia defender Nemanja Vidic and midfielder Dejan Stankovic have indicated they will retire from the national team after its failure to qualify for the European Championships.
Vidic of Manchester United missed a penalty in a 1-0 loss to Slovenia on Tuesday which cost Serbia a place in the playoffs for Euro 2012. Estonia took the playoff sport, while Italy topped Group C.
The 29-year-old Vidic said “it's time for a change of generations and for some older players to say goodbye to the Serbian jersey.”
Stankovic, who is 33, said “I played many matches, helped the national team and it's time for me to turn to my tasks with Inter Milan.”
Stankovic played his 102nd match for Serbia on Tuesday, tying the record by Savo Milosevic. Vidic has 56 caps. AP
