Austria captain Christian Fuchs retires from national team

VIENNA: Austria captain Christian Fuchs is retiring from the national team, a week after Austria was eliminated from the European Championship.

In a video posted on his Facebook page Wednesday, the Leicester defender said the 2-1 loss to Iceland "was my last match in red-white-red."

"Looking back I have to say I am very proud of the 10 years I played for the team," said Fuchs, who was named captain by coach Marcel Koller four years ago.

Having made his debut in May 2006, the 30-year-old Fuchs earned 78 caps and scored once — in a 2010 friendly against Greece.

Koller said Fuch's retirement was "a pity" and he praised the defender "for his exemplary commitment as captain."

After its near-perfect qualifying route with 28 from a possible 30 points, Austria was regarded as a dark horse at Euro 2016. However, it gathered just one point in the group stage after a 2-0 loss to Hungary and 0-0 draw with Portugal.

"The finals tournament wasn't satisfying, we all know that," Fuchs said. "Still, the adventure in France was very special for me."

Fuchs played for Bochum, Mainz and Schalke before joining Leicester a year ago and helping the club win its unlikely Premier League title last season.