Post by Taxigirl on Aug 4, 2004 9:46:29 GMT
www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug3e.html
Pavel Nedved has won the Golden Foot 2004 award and announced his international retirement in a bid to conquer the Champions' League.
"You never get tired of winning awards," smiled the 31-year-old Czech, "but I am now missing just the one trophy, the one I care the most about: the Champions' League."
It is with this in mind that Nedved confirmed his international retirement after a heartbreaking injury during the semi-final of the European Championships.
"I have already spoken to Coach Brueckner about this and will make it official within the next month. It isn't right that I should injure myself with the Czech Republic when Juve are the ones paying my wages. I must give my all for the Bianconeri now and cannot wait to recover from this setback."
That knee injury will rule him out of the Champions' League preliminary round ties in late August against either Djurgarden or Kaunas.
The Juventus star has lifted the Balon d’Or among a list of prizes following his fine campaign at the Stadio Delle Alpi and Euro 2004 semi-finalist run with the Czech Republic.
He has now earned a place in the Champions' Promenade, a football version of the path in front of Hollywood’s Mann’s Chinese Theater where players sign their names and make a cast of their foot in the concrete.
The Hall of Fame also inducted Michel Platini, Alfredo Di Stefano and Dino Zoff during last night’s ceremony in the Principality.
Fans voted for their player of the year on the Internet and Nedved beat other nominees Ronaldo, David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, Paolo Maldini, Hernan Crespo, Oliver Kahn, Romario and Edgar Davids.
Pavel Nedved has won the Golden Foot 2004 award and announced his international retirement in a bid to conquer the Champions' League.
"You never get tired of winning awards," smiled the 31-year-old Czech, "but I am now missing just the one trophy, the one I care the most about: the Champions' League."
It is with this in mind that Nedved confirmed his international retirement after a heartbreaking injury during the semi-final of the European Championships.
"I have already spoken to Coach Brueckner about this and will make it official within the next month. It isn't right that I should injure myself with the Czech Republic when Juve are the ones paying my wages. I must give my all for the Bianconeri now and cannot wait to recover from this setback."
That knee injury will rule him out of the Champions' League preliminary round ties in late August against either Djurgarden or Kaunas.
The Juventus star has lifted the Balon d’Or among a list of prizes following his fine campaign at the Stadio Delle Alpi and Euro 2004 semi-finalist run with the Czech Republic.
He has now earned a place in the Champions' Promenade, a football version of the path in front of Hollywood’s Mann’s Chinese Theater where players sign their names and make a cast of their foot in the concrete.
The Hall of Fame also inducted Michel Platini, Alfredo Di Stefano and Dino Zoff during last night’s ceremony in the Principality.
Fans voted for their player of the year on the Internet and Nedved beat other nominees Ronaldo, David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, Paolo Maldini, Hernan Crespo, Oliver Kahn, Romario and Edgar Davids.