Nakamura retires from international football

Japan midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura has announced his retirement from international football.

After spending most of the World Cup on the bench, the 32-year-old Nakamura told Japanese media Thursday that he has played his last game for Japan. The former Celtic and Espanyol player made only one substitute appearance in South Africa, during the 1-0 loss to the Netherlands on June 19.

Responding to a question from Nikkan Sports newspaper about his next game for Japan, Nakamura said ``there won't be one for me.''

Nakamura returned to J-League team Yokohama F Marinos in February after struggling with Spanish side Espanyol, where he was used mostly from the bench.