All Hail Chieffy: Azkals star retires

MANILA, Philippines – Chieffy Caligdong announced his retirement from international play on Wednesday night through social media.

The 32-year-old former national team captain has decided to call it quits to give way to the younger generation of Azkals to flourish, saying he will focus on a new chapter of his football career.

"I have decided on my own at kung saan comfortable ako," Caligdong told Philstar.com on Thursday.

The left winger said he consulted the people close to him, including Philippine Football Federation president Mariano "Nonong" Araneta" and secretary-general Ed Gastanes, and his Azkals family.

"Last month pa ako nag-decide and I hope maintindihan ng mga fans. Iba kasi ang demands ng club team at national team," said Caligdong, who will still play in the United Football League with his mother club Green Archers United.

"I am happy kung anuman ang narating ko at ng (national) team. Nagpapasalamat ako sa lahat ng sumuporta sa akin at naging bahagi ng journey ko as a national player," said Caligdong. "I hope yung generation ng Azkals ngayon at mga susunod pa ay ibibigay nila ang 100 percent nila para sa bayan."

With his national stint as a player done, Caligdong is now looking to continue to help the country's football program in a different capacity.

"Mahal na mahal ko ang football eh kaya gusto ko naman i-share sa mga bata at future Azkals kung paano ba ako naging national team player," said the proud son of Barotac Nuevo, a known football hotbed in the country.

Caligdong has just finished a "C" coaching course in Iloilo as part of his commitment to oversee the Green Archers United youth teams and hopefully, joins the national youth team as an assistant coach next year.

"Marami pa akong dapat matutunan as a coach. Hindi naman ako nagmamadali. Ang gusto ko lang ay maibahagi kung anuman ang naibigay sa akin ng football," Caligdong said.

The 5-foot-5 left winger will leave the international game with 16 career goals, which is only next to Phil Younghusband's 39 goals for the Azkals. He joined the national team in 2004 and scored the two goals that propelled the country to a 2-1 come-from-behind win against Timor Leste in their first AFF Cup stint.

Caligdong has been slowed down by ankle injuries in his last years with the national team, and his struggle to regain the top form he once had led him to the decision to finally hang up his Azkals jersey.