Who is Atiba Hutchinson, Canada captain to retire after Nations League final against the US?

Atiba Hutchinson, Canada’s soccer captain, has announced his retirement from the national team following CONCACAF Nations League final against the United States on Sunday.

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Hutchinson in a statement said, “It has been an amazing 20 years of me playing football, putting on the jersey representing our beautiful country and now we’re at a point where it’s time for me to call it a day, hang up the boots after this game on Sunday.”

Who is Atiba Hutchinson?

Atiba Hutchinson, 40, is a highly accomplished Canadian professional soccer player who is well known for his leadership abilities as the team captain for Canada. He received many honors throughout his career, including being the first player from North America to earn the Danish Super Liga Player of the Year award while competing in Denmark. 

Hutchinson has also received six awards for Canadian Player of the Year honors. From 2010 until 2013, he played for PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch Eredivisie thanks to his exceptional talent and accomplishments.

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Hutchinson, who is regarded as the best Canadian soccer player of all time, has the most caps for the Canadian national team and was the first male player to make more than 100 appearances abroad. He was named to the all-time Canada XI men’s team in 2012 as part of the Canadian Soccer Association’s centennial celebration in honor of his major contribution to Canadian soccer.

He will be playing his last match against the United States in CONCACAF Nations League final on Sunday. Hutchinson in a statement hinted about his future, stating that the vast experience he has accumulated over the years and can be put to good use in the future as an administrator, a leader, or a coach.

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B.J. Callaghan, United States interim coach, also paid tribute to Hutchinson and lauded him for his remarkable journey in the game.