Watford star and former West Ham midfielder persuaded to delay international retirement plans

Watford midfielder Valon Behrami has revealed he was persuaded to shelve his international retirement plans this summer by the Swiss FA’s president.

Saturday marked the 11th anniversary of Behrami’s Switzerland debut and his 72 caps have included five major tournaments, including three World Cups.

And the 31-year-old, who counts West Ham United, Lazio and Napoli among his former clubs, had planned to quit international football this summer after Euro 2016, when Switzerland exited in the last 16 after a penalty shoot-out defeat to Poland.

Valon Behrami battles with AFC Bournemouth’s Harry Arter. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

But Swiss FA president Peter Gilliéron persuaded him to stick around until the World Cup in Russia in 2018 – something Behrami is now delighted about.

He explained: “It will be my fourth World Cup. I`m the first [Swiss international] to play in three World Cups so a fourth would be amazing way to end my international career. I`m focusing on that.

“I was thinking that this year, as I wanted to focus more on the club, but I spoke with the president of the FA in Switzerland and they pushed me to keep going for another two years. I need to be fit, that`s the most important thing.”