With Respect, Pandev Removes North Macedonia Jersey With 122 Caps And 38 Goals

Goran Pandev (Twitter @euro2020)

JAKARTA - Goran Pandev played his last match in a North Macedonian jersey against the Netherlands in the final Group C Euro 2020 match in Amsterdam, Monday night.

The match means nothing for North Macedonia, who have already been eliminated from their debut appearance in a prestigious tournament, because Pandev and colleagues will not move from the bottom of Group C after losing against Austria and Ukraine.

"This will be my last game for the national team, it feels like the right time to end my international career," Pandev said before the match.

The 37-year-old has so far scored 38 goals in 122 appearances since his debut for the national team in 2021.

🇲🇰 Goran Pandev bows out after 122 international appearances 👏👏👏#EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/ZCIRDembOy

— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 21, 2021

Despite taking off the North Macedonian uniform, Pandev believes his country from Yugoslavia will perform well in the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers in the European zone.

North Macedonia is currently in second place in Group J of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in the European zone with six points from their first three matches, including thrashing Germany 2-1.

"This generation will bring a lot of joy to our country in the future, I believe they can qualify for the main round of the World Cup," said Pandev.

"Tomorrow's game will be very special, I hope I get a good farewell performance," he added.

Granted, Pandev was given a farewell at the Johan Cruyff Arena when the Dutch team presented him with an orange shirt that symbolized the player's 122 appearances for his country.

Respect.

1⃣2⃣2⃣👕 The Netherlands pay tribute to Goran Pandev before his 122nd and final international appearance.#EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/b0RYySRklo

— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 21, 2021

Meanwhile, his teammates formed a guard of honor when he was substituted in the second half.

Pandev admits he is also considering hanging up his boots from club level.

"Maybe in the near future my club career will also end, but what is clear for the national team I believe this is over, because playing from one end of the field to the other at the age of 23 is too big a burden," concluded Pandev.

In the last six years, Pandev has played for Italian club Genoa, having been part of the historic Inter Milan team that won the Serie A, Coppa Italia, and Champions League titles in 2010.

Last international game for Goran Pandev 👋

🇲🇰 Inspired his nation to first major finals

👏 Scored first ever EURO goal for North Macedonia

💪 Second-oldest scorer in EURO history #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/Fak0ml2XXi

— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 21, 2021