Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic has retired from international football, according to Serbia's sporting director Vladimir Matijasevic.
Reports began to circulate on Thursday claiming Matic had opted to quit Serbia despite being named in their most recent squad.
Matijasevic, who works as a director for the Football Association of Serbia (FSS), confirmed the decision on Friday.
He claims Matic has brought his international career to a close to allow for younger players to have prominence in the senior side.
Matic, 32, played 48 times for Serbia since 2008 and represented them at the 2018 World Cup, but he will now give United his sole focus.
"When I came to the FSS, I talked to [Aleksandar] Mitrovic, [Luka] Milivojevic and Matic," Matijasevic is quoted as saying by Serbian publication Tanjug.
"Nemanja said then that he would return, but he had some decisions of his own that have nothing to do with us.
"We talked a few days ago, I called him on the phone, we also agreed to have coffee if our time and obligations allowed it.
"It was an extremely pleasant conversation. He is determined to put an end to his national team career.
"He did not state more specific reasons – he knows why this is the case and pointed out that it is time for younger players to take his place.
