After 107 national team appearances and 50 goals, Cahill confirmed on social media his appearance off the bench against Peru at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia was his final for his country.
"Today’s the day that I’m officially hanging up my boots on my international career with the Socceroos," Cahill wrote.
"No words can describe what it has meant to represent my country. Massive thank you to everyone for the support throughout all my years wearing the Australian badge."
Football Federation Australia Chairman Steven Lowy praised Cahill’s immense contribution to football.
“Tim Cahill is a football great in Australia. As a player and as a person he has had an enormous impact on the game,” said Lowy.
“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, that his influence is most profound. He has our very best wishes for whatever new challenges he takes on. We hope to continue to work with Tim to promote football in Australia.”
Cahill, undoubtedly one of Australia’s biggest sporting heroes, will be missed as he is player who has captured the hearts of Socceroos’ fans and football fanatics around the world since bursting onto the international scene in 2004.
He captured English hearts during his time with clubs Millwall and Everton, while scoring some of Australia's most memorable goals in FIFA World Cup history.
Cahill made his debut for Australia back in March 2004, in a 1-0 friendly win over South Africa in London.
He made his competitive debut shortly after in the 2004 Oceania Nations Cup, scoring six goals in the competition which pit Australia against Uruguay for a spot at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
Today’s the day that I’m officially hanging up my boots on my international career with the Socceroos.
No words can describe what it has meant to represent my country. Massive thank you to everyone for the support throughout all my years wearing the Australian badge. pic.twitter.com/gqnM1HWA7S— TIM CAHILL (@Tim_Cahill) July 17, 2018
Cahill was growing in stature at English Premier League club Everton when he was named in Guus Hiddink’s squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.
He’d make history in Australia’s first match at the tournament too – coming off the bench to score two goals, secure a 3-1 win over Japan, and in the process become the first Australian to score at a FIFA World Cup and the first Australian to win a man of the match honour at the tournament.
Cahill went on to play in Australia’s next three matches at the tournament, including 90 minutes in the historic Round of 16 defeat to Italy. This tournament was the start of Cahill’s journey to being recognised as one of the all-time Socceroos greats.
Timmy's greatest ever goal - Netherlands in 2014. What do you think? @Tim_Cahill #HappyBirthdayTim pic.twitter.com/nowBtfuJuT
— Socceroos (@Socceroos) December 6, 2015
Cahill scored one goal in Australia’s first ever AFC Asian Cup back in 2007 and slotted a penalty in a shootout which ultimately sent Australia packing in the quarter-finals. He scored crucial goals in qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and was picked in the squad for the South Africa tournament.
It wasn’t the brightest of tournaments for Cahill, who was sent off in Australia’s opening group stage match to Germany but redeemed himself with a goal in the final match against Serbia. This made him the all-time Australian leading goal scorer at the FIFA World Cup, with three under his belt.
He scored two goals at the AFC Asian Cup 2011 where Australia finished runners-up to Japan, and in the lead-up to the 2014 FIFA World Cup scored two goals against Ecuador to become Australia’s all-time leading goal scorer.
Cahill went on to feature heavily at the 2014 international tournament, scoring against world powerhouses Chile and the Netherlands. His goal against the Netherlands is widely regarded as one of the best FIFA World Cup goals of all-time.
Cahill broke so many records during his time as an international footballer and claimed so many firsts. He was the first Australian to score at the FIFA World Cup finals and Asian Cup Finals, and he claims the most goals by an Australian at FIFA World Cup Finals.
Cahill is Australia’s oldest ever goalscorer, his winning goal against Syria in October 2017 at the age of 37 years and 308 days winning him that title. It’s an international career which spanned more than 14 years from his first match in March 2004 to his last in June 2018.
Fifty goals, the last two which helped see off Syria in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Continental Playoff, for the Socceroos will ensure Cahill’s name remains forever in the history books.
It’s 21 goals better than the next highest scorer (Damian Mori), and the only current player who comes close is Mile Jedinak (20).
Cahill came heartbreakingly close to claiming the most international appearances for Australia. He has played for his country 107 – second only to former teammate Mark Schwarzer, who managed 109.
Cahill leaves an indelible mark on football in Australia and despite being 38-years-old he can still do a job for his country when called upon.
Sources: www.socceroos.com.au, AFP, FIFA via Getty Images
Source: the-afc.com