'Elbow King' reveals possibility of leaving Thai national team

Theerathon reveals Asian Cup 2027 could be his final tournament with the Thai national team.

Theerathon Bunmathan is likely to part ways with the Thai national team after the 2027 Asian Cup finals, as he admits this could be the last major tournament in his international career. At 36, this experienced defender stated he is unsure about future call-ups, as there are still many months until the big event, and everything depends on his performance and the coaching staff's choices.

Speaking after the 2-1 victory over Turkmenistan in the final match of Group D qualifying, Theerathon expressed happiness about securing a spot for the 2027 Asian Cup with the national team. He emphasized that this win was very meaningful for the fans and admitted that if the result had been a draw, the atmosphere would definitely not have been as electrifying.

The veteran defender also commented on his decision to remove his face mask during the second half. According to him, wearing the mask limited his vision and caused discomfort while playing. Despite reminders from his club, he had to take it off due to concerns about affecting his playing ability. Theerathon said his nasal injury condition is now stable and no longer worrisome.

In this match, Theerathon and his teammates faced significant pressure, and he even lost sleep before the game started. However, the victory helped relieve his stress. “We all hoped to contribute to the team, and the whole squad played very hard. After this match, I feel relieved and can sleep better,” he shared.

Regarding the journey ahead, Theerathon frankly stated that age is a challenge. He affirmed that his main goal in this return to the national team was simply to help Thailand secure a ticket to advance, rather than sitting home watching other teams compete. That was also his biggest motivation to continue contributing.

Finally, when asked about competition within the squad and the role of young players like Chanathip, Theerathon believed no one can completely replace another. According to him, each player needs to create their own opportunities and showcase their unique style. That healthy competitive spirit will help the Thai national team develop and maintain strength in the future.

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