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Chelsea star Victor Moses has announced his retirement from international football months after representing Nigeria at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

The Nigerian debuted for his country in 2012, and he featured in two World Cups, most recently in Russia this summer where he scored from the spot against Argentina. Only a late goal in that game prevented progression to the knockout stages.

  He was an integral member of the Super Eagles' side that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, scoring twice and being named in the Team of the Tournament as well as picking up the Fair Player of the Tournament prize.

Moses, 27, tweeted his decision this afternoon with an explanation for his decision to retire at the age of 27, saying he wanted to 'focus fully on his club career and my young family, as well as to allow the next generation of Super Eagles stars the opportunity to step up and to flourish'.

Moses in the Tweet said he had already informed Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr and his staff about his decision and also expressed gratitude to his teammates for all of their support over the years.

“I would like to announce that after much thought I have made the decision to retire from playing international football,” he said.

“I have experienced some of the best moments of my life wearing the Super Eagles shirt and have memories with me that will last a lifetime. Nothing will ever compete to what it felt like to represent Nigeria on behalf of our country.

“However I feel that now is the right time to step away in order to be able to focus fully on club career and my young family as well as to allow the next generation of Super Eagles stars the opportunity to step up and to flourish. We are blessed as a nation to have so many exciting young players coming through and now is their time.

“There are so many highlights that stand out for me over the years; from making my debut, to playing in two World Cups and being a part of the team to win the African Nations Cup for first time for our nation since 1994 being just a few of them. I have already spoken to the manager by telephone and would like to say thank you to him and his staff, the NFF and all of my teammates for all of their support over the years.

“Most importantly I would like to say thank you to the Nigerian people for believing in me and supporting me over the years. It’s meant the world to me and my family and I will always be a proud Nigerian supporting the team. Thank you for the memories and good luck to the team for the future.”