Van Nistelrooy quits international arena

AMSTERDAM: Holland striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has retired from international soccer to concentrate on his club career with Real Madrid, the Dutch Football Association (KNVB) said on Monday.

It said the 32-year-old had told coach Bert van Marwijk he would no longer be available for the Dutch team after deciding he could not perform to his best for club and country.

"After studying the schedule of Real Madrid and the Dutch team I realized ... playing for both teams would mean too tough a physical load for me and therefore I made this choice," Van Nistelrooy was quoted as saying.