Nemanja Matic has told the Serbian Football Federation (FSS) that he is retiring from international football with immediate effect.
The Manchester United midfielder told FSS sports director Vladimir Matijasevic that he will not be available for selection for Serbia's Nations League fixtures against Russia next Thursday and Turkey three days later.
Matic's decision to retire also means he misses out on Serbia's Euro 2020 play-offs in October and the chance to feature in the tournament should they qualify for next summer's rearranged event.
The decision will be a bonus for United and will allow Matic extra rest during the international breaks in what is going to be a busy season domestically.
As he won't be featuring for Serbia next week Matic is now set to report for pre-season training with the other United players not on international duty on Wednesday (September 2).
"Other than saying it was time for younger players to take over, Matic did not state any other specific reasons for quitting," said Matijasevic.
"We respect his decision. He is 32 years old and he's had an exerting club season. European club football is demanding and hence we are aware that we'll have to inject fresh blood into the national team.
"When I arrived at the FSS, I spoke to Mitrovic, Milivojevic and Matic. Nemanja said then that he would return, but he had some decisions of his own to make that have nothing to do with us.
"We talked a few days ago, I called him on the phone, we also agreed to have coffee, if our time and obligations allow it. It was an extremely pleasant and fair conversation. He is determined to put an end to his national team career.
"The head coach also spoke to him, about which you will surely hear more at a press conference on Monday. That is Nemanja's decision that we must respect."
Matic made 34 appearances for United last season and his rise back to prominence in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side in the second half of the season earned the 32-year-old a new contract, keeping him at Old Trafford until 2023.
