Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany has announced that he intends to call time on his international career with Belgium following next year's World Cup finals.
The 31-year-old was this week included in the Red Devils' squad for the upcoming qualifiers against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Cyprus, despite missing the last month through injury.
Roberto Martinez's decision to select Kompany left City boss Pep Guardiola perplexed, as he claims that the experienced centre-back is still not yet fit, leading to a potential club-versus-country row.
Any such problem will not be an issue come this time next year, however, as Kompany intends to quit Belgium duty following the World Cup finals in Russia to prolong his club career.
"I won't stop playing after the World Cup, but chances are I'll stop playing for the national team. They know that," he told reporters. "If I have to make a decision for my body, I'll do it without a doubt. And I'll have a great national team career to look back on.
"I have done all I can for years to remain fit, and to always come back after injuries. I don't want to make things sound more heroic than they are, but any sportsman will confirm just how hard it is to do this.
"The more matches I play, the more I am away from home and the more I put my body under pressure, the less chance I have of continuing to play football in good health."
Belgium have already qualified for Russia 2018 ahead of the final batch of qualifying fixtures next week.
Daniel Lewis
