Algeria ace Bougherra to retire after World Cup

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The captain of Algeria football team, Madjid Bougherra said Thursday he planned to retire internationally after the World Cup due in Brazil in the summer of 2014.

Bougherra offered the winning goal for Algeria on Tuesday night against Bourkina Faso in the play-off, sending the Desert Foxes to the World Cup.

The central defender told local El Khabar newspaper that "I've been thinking to retire, recently. Frankly, I played for ten years with the team, and I gave all my best, and for now I plan to retire after the World Cup, as it is time to leave my place and pass the torch to young players."

Bougherra, 31, has been playing for the Qatari Lakhwiya since moving from the Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers in August 2011.

He earned national team debut in 2004 and has collected more than 60 international caps.

Algeria is due to participate for the fourth time in the World Cup after 1982, 1986, 2010. The Desert Foxes occupied the 32 spot in last month's FIFA ranking.

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