Canadian soccer legend snubbed in final game before retirement as fans hit out
Canada's all-time appearance record holder Atiba Hutchinson had to watch from the sidelines for what was his final game for his country.
The 40-year-old veteran midfielder called time on his international career after making 104 appearances for the nation prior to the CONCACAF Nations League final versus the United States. However, the long-serving Besiktas star was unable to extend the appearances record he has held since 2021 after coach John Herdman failed to use him from the bench.
He made his debut for Canada back in 2003, being named the country's player of the year on six occassions during an international career that lasted 20 years. The highlight, however, came when the Ontario-born ace led his country to the World Cup in 2022 in Qatar, captaining the side in the tournament, while also becoming the oldest outfield player at the finals.
Ultimately, his final game would come as a substitute in the 2-0 semi finals win over Panama in the CONCACAF Nations League to set up a final date with the US. Prior to the showpiece final against the US, head coach John Herdman was quick to pay tribute to the retiring star, saying he was 'probably the greatest Canadian footballer not many people knew about'.
Hutchinson also took to his social media to look back on his two decades as an integral squad member for Canada, expressing his pride at representing his country for such a long time. He said: "It has been an amazing 20 years of me playing football, putting on the jersey, representing our beautiful country and now were at a point where it's time for me to call it a day, hang up the boots.
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"Now is the perfect time for me to step away. I have loved every moment of it, I have had a lot of ups and downs but at the end of it, the great moments have been truly amazing. I'm very grateful and blessed to have represented Canada the amount of times that I've done it."
He added: "I've really loved it and I'm grateful for all that the fans and the country has given me. I hope that I could have given back to you a fraction of that."
The Besiktas supporters honoured Atiba Hutchinson following his final appearance at Vodafone Park during a game against Konyasspor. (Cengiz Malgirdia images via Getty Images)The midfielder also departed Turkish club Besitkas at the end of last season, playing his final game for the club he served for a decade versus Kasımpaşa. Fittingly, Hutchinson was able to sign off from the club with a goal from the penalty spot in a resounding 5-2 victory.
In all, he made 334 appearances for the Istanbul club, scoring 27 times during his ten years of service after joining from PSV Eindhoven back in 2013. A fan favourite at Vodafone Park, the Canadian was honoured by supporters at the club's final game of the season against Konyaspor.
For now, Canadian reporter John Molinaro expects Hutchinson and his family to stay in Turkey for the short term while he weighs up his next options. It has been an emotional couple of months for the veteran star, but he bows out as one of Canada's best ever players and possibly. the country's greatest ever player.
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