Shrestha, 34, attributed unfriendly physique, personal reasons and growing age as the reasons for his retirement.[break]
“I am not in the national team for the last one-and-a-half year and it is really painful not to be there,” said the 34-year old adding, "But I decided to quit as my physique no longer supports me. Besides this, the emergence of young and talented players also made to take this decision.”
“Discipline, willpower and hard work have been the key to my success,” Shrestha said.
Shrestha, who hails from Naxal, Kathmandu, is the only player to win 50 caps for the national team in official tournaments. He also holds the record of playing full time matches consecutively for the highest 34 times since his debut in the senior national team in 1998 December 1 for the 13th Asian Games held in Bangkok, Thailand.
Shrestha began his career with the national team from the AFC U-16 qualifiers from Birgunj in 1997. Shrestha had always been the first choice and reliable defender for Nepal for 12 years following his appearance for the national team.
Shrestha captained for the Nepali national team in 14 matches since World Cup Qualifiers first leg match against Oman in 2007 and remained in the position until the Seventh SAFF Championship 2009 held in Dhaka. Shrestha has been having a hard time finding his place in the team since. Shrestha had sustained back injuries and is struggling to recover.
Shrestha was the member of the team which finished first runners up in the Eighth SAG Games in 1999 and semifinalist of Second SAFF Championship 1999. Similarly, Nepal also won the title of the First Prime Minister Cup International Invitational Football Tournament under Shrestha´s captaincy a couple of year ago.
Shrestha, who plays professional football from Nepal Police Club (NPC), however, said that he would continue playing club football. “I will play club football tournaments until my department wants me to play.” Shrestha had featured in top flight football for Police for more than one-and-a-half decade since his enrollment in the force in 1994.
Shrestha started club football career from the second division club Mahabir during 2003 and played two seasons there. He also played for MMC in a few matches before moving to the police team. There has been no looking back for him since.
“Overall my footballing career has been a successful one and getting the opportunity to captain the national side was the most memorable time of my whole career.”
Not only Shrestha but his wife Punam is equally happy with her husband´s achievement. “I am very much happy with his achievement in football.
“I would like to thank everyone including my family members, relatives and my supporters,” said Shrestha.
“I was greatly inspired by senior player Dhirendra Pradhan´s (currently ANFA general secretary) performance when I was a child. Therefore, I selected jersey No 3 which was his number.”
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