Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech says he may retire from international football after the European Championship in order to prolong his club career at Arsenal.
Cech, 33, has been a regular in the Czech side since 2002, earning 118 caps. But he told his own website that it might be time to call it quits after the Euros, which will be his fifth major tournament.
"I'm turning 34 and it's time for me to consider it [retirement]," he said. "The other day I thought: Isn't it time after 14 years on the national team to think about bringing this chapter of your life to a close?
"The less I have to travel around and play for the national team, the higher the probability that I'll be able to retain my focus at Arsenal. After all, I'm not getting any younger."
Cech was voted the Czech Republic's footballer of the year for the eighth time during the international break, but missed his country's friendlies because of a calf injury. The keeper said he still feels like he can keep playing for several years but that his body needs more rest these days during the season.
"I feel on top physically, but it's been the same things all over again since 2002. Way too much travelling around and barely any time for rest," he said. "You eventually reach a point in your career when it becomes time to come to a halt and choose a new direction. That point will come after the Euros."
Cech added that he will make up his mind before the start of 2018 World Cup qualifying, and knows that he must "ensure my decision is solid" since he will face pressure to continue. As for his club career, though, the veteran didn't rule out playing until he is 40.
"As long as I'm positive that I'm 100 percent ready to go to training when I get up in the morning, my career will go on," he said. "It'll also depend on how my body takes it. So far so good."