Egypt's long-serving goalkeeper Essam Al-Hadari says he has decided to retire from international football. The decision comes in the wake of what seem to be a rift with the Egypt management, despite Al-Hadari revealing a friendly conversation with head coach Bob Bradley. The 40-year-old's announcement follows speculation that he was angry after being dropped to the bench in last week's friendly against Chile; a notion that he ruled out. “Yes it's true I have decided to retire from international football," Al-Hadari told Al-Nahar TV. “I don't want to mention details but I can assure everyone it is not because of being dropped against Chile. “I've been on the bench in many games under the current coaching staff and if I was angry for this reason, I would have quit a long time ago. “Coach Bradley has spoken to me and when he asked about it I told him yes I have decided to retire. He simply told me ‘thanks for everything you have given to the team'. “I think this is the right time for me to retire for the sake of the national team, even though I am still thinking about it." Al-Hadari has developed into a legendary goalkeeper for Egypt in recent years, thanks to a host of continental achievements and memorable performances with the Pharaohs. The Merreikh goalie has been an unrivalled first-choice between the posts for more than ten years for Egypt, winning three Africa Cup of Nations titles in the process. With reserve goalie Ahmed Al-Shennawi injured, Bradley could rely on Ahli's Sherif Ekrami against Zimbabwe next month as Zamalek veteran Abdul-Wahed Al-Sayed remains out of favor.
