World Cup star aims stinging warning at assocition as he retires from international football aged 30 instantly after group exit

Czechia striker Patrik Schick has confirmed his international retirement at the age of 30 – firing a stinging warning in his farewell statement.

The Bayer Leverkusen forward announced the news on Thursday – one day after Miroslav Koubek’s side crashed out of the World Cup.

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Schick featured in each of his side’s Group A clashes, but failed to chip in with a single goal involvement.

He started in the Representatives’ opening 2-1 defeat to South Korea and the follow-up 1-1 draw with South Africa.

And he then came off the bench during Wednesday’s 3-0 loss to co-hosts Mexico to leave Czechia bottom of the group in their first World Cup in 20 years.

Less than 24 hours later, the 2024 Bundesliga champion has called it a day on the international scene – ten years after making his debut.

In total, Schick has banged in 26 goals in 56 caps – placing him in fourth spot in his country’s all-time scoring list.

Five of those strikes came in the delayed Euro 2020 competition as he finished as the joint top scorer alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.

While his long distance strike against Scotland was named as the Goal of the Tournament.

Statement in full

Taking to Instagram, Schick issued a lengthy statement – insisting it’s a decision that he has long thought about.

And he also told Czech chiefs they have a duty to ensure they will be competitive in the future having failed to reach the World Cup knockout stage since 1990.

Czechia have also been dumped out in the group stage in two of the last three European Championships.

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Schick said: “Today, I am closing the chapter on my international career.

“This decision was not made on impulse or overnight, it is something I have been considering and reflecting on for a long time.

“It has been a journey filled with emotions – joy, disappointment, victories, and tough moments.

“I always strove to give my all for the national team and to represent our country to the best of my ability.

“I leave proud of what I achieved in the national team jersey.

“At the same time, however, I feel that Czech football is capable of achieving FAR, FAR more than it has shown in recent years.

“We need to face the truth and change a number of things that haven’t been working for a long time.

“I say this not out of anger or disappointment, but because I care deeply about Czech football.

“Thank you to all the fans, teammates, and everyone who supported me throughout this time. It was an honour to wear the Czech jersey.”

Schick, who scored 22 goals in 42 games for Leverkusen across all competitions in the 2025/26 season, has been plagued by injuries throughout his career.

Since the 2017/18 campaign, he has missed a whopping 121 games for club and country.