Watch North Macedonia stars give Goran Pandev guard of honour as 37-year-old subbed off in last ever international game
SERIE A legend Goran Pandev was given a guard of honour by his North Macedonia team-mates as departed the international stage.
The 37-year-old was substituted during his final appearance for the national team against Holland at Euro 2020.
Goran Pandev is given a guard of honour by his North Macedonia team-mates[/caption] The 37-year-old was also hugged by his colleagues as he bowed out of the international arena[/caption]With Holland leading the game 3-0, North Macedonia’s captain was substituted by manager Igor Angelovski in the 68th minute.
Pandev had announced prior to Euro 2020 that he would retire from international football following the tournament – TWENTY YEARS after making his debut.
His colleagues – aware it was his final hurrah for North Macedonia – quickly created a guard of honour and hugged the emotional star.
Pandev also received a standing ovation from everyone in the Johan Cruyff Arena, including ex-Inter Milan team-mate Wesley Sneijder.
The substitution brought an end to the Genoa forward’s fabulous international career.
Pandev made 122 appearances for North Macedonia since his debut against Turkey in 2001, scoring 38 times.
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He scored the winner in their Euro 2020 play-off against Georgia, ensuring the country qualified for their first major tournament.
And the icon went one better in North Macedonia’s debut at the European Championships, scoring their maiden tournament goal against Austria.
Pandev has spent the majority of his club career in Italy, featuring in 473 Serie A games to sit 25th in the all-time appearances list.
He won the Italian top flight and Champions League in 2009-10 under Jose Mourinho at Inter and the Turkish league during a brief spell at Galatasaray in 2014-15.
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Pandev has also won FIVE Italian Cups – a tally bettered by only Gianluigi Buffon, Dejan Stankovic and Roberto Mancini.
North Macedonia lost all three of their games at Euro 2020, with Holland and Austria progressing from Group C.
Ukraine, who finished No3 in the group, can still quality as one of the best third-placed teams.
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