Football Federation Australia chairman Steven Lowy has paid tribute to Tim Cahill following his decision to retire from international football. The 38-year-old had represented the Socceroos in four World Cups including the most recent one in Russia, where the national team were ousted in the group stage.

Speaking in a news conference, Lowy hailed Cahill as a footballing great in the country and hopes the marksman remains an inspiration for the generations to come, he said: “Tim Cahill is a football great in Australia. As a player and as a person he has had an enormous impact on the game. Tim’s performances on and off the pitch and his feats at FIFA World Cups and AFC Asian Cups have inspired millions across the globe, but it is in Australia, where Tim is a household name.”