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Borussia Dortmund midfielder Nuri Sahin has retired from international football after 52 caps for Turkey, saying that it is time for a new generation of players to come through. In 2005 Sahin became the youngest Turkey senior international and goalscorer in a 2-1 win against Germany, his country of birth. After a further 51 international matches, the 29-year-old former Real Madrid and Liverpool midfielder announced on Thursday he would no longer be available for selection. "I wore the Turkey jersey nearly 100 times in various age groups, and every single step I made in this jersey made me proud," he wrote in a statement, adding that it was now time to make way for a younger generation. "I retire from international football at this point because I want to yield to the youth. I am convinced that the new generation of young Turkish players can lead us big success in the next 10 to 15 years if we support them with a good plan." Turkey failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup and Sahin won his last cap in a 3-0 home defeat to Iceland on Oct. 6. At club level, the midfielder is getting more time on the pitch under new Dortmund head coach Peter Bosz this season, after dropping down the pecking order under Thomas Tuchel.
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