Cameroon legend Rigobert Song has confirmed his retirement from international football. The defender is his country's most-capped player, having made 137 appearances since making his debut in 1993.

Song appeared in four FIFA World Cups™ and eight CAF Africa Cup of Nations tournaments - including a record five as captain - but at the age of 34 has decided to hand over the mantle to younger players.

Men pass, the country remains. You have to quit things when you have to. I leave this team with pride.
Cameroonian Rigobert Song after retiring from international football

"Men pass, the country remains," Song said at a specially-convened press conference today. "You have to quit things when you have to. I leave this team with pride, and I think I have accomplished a duty."

Song had seen his influence dwindle in the Cameroon team and made only one appearance at South Africa 2010, coming on as a substitute in their final match.

The former Metz, Liverpool, West Ham United and Lens defender is the youngest player to have been sent off at the FIFA World Cup, having been red-carded aged 17 in 1994. He is also, alongside Zinedine Zidane, the only man to have been sent off in two editions of the competition.

Song currently plies his trade in Turkey, after joining Galatasaray in 2004 and Trabzonspor four years later.