Jannik Vestergaard Retires From Denmark Duty After 59 Caps

Ronaldo's 'Eraser' Vestergaard ends Denmark career

Leicester defender Jannik Vestergaard, 33, has retired from international football after 59 Denmark caps, saying “it is natural now” with new players emerging.

Danish centre-back who 'nullified' Ronaldo retires from international football...

.Jannik Vestergaard, the 33-year-old Leicester City defender, confirmed on Friday night that he is ending his international career with Denmark.

Speaking to Danish outlet Politiken, the centre-back said the decision has been on his mind for some time.

“And I have always wanted to stop at the right time. For me, it is natural now,” says Vestergaard.

Danish national team coach Brian Riemer believes the centre-back possesses a strong character and personality. The national coach also points to Vestergaard’s “obvious and stable” qualities on the pitch.

The European Championship in 2021, where Denmark reached the semi-finals, is a milestone in Vestergaard's national team career, says Riemer, who also remembers Denmark's victory over Portugal in the Nations League in 2025.

Riemer points out that Vestergaard marked superstar Cristiano Ronaldo out of the game in the 1-0 victory at Parken in the Nations League.

He “erased” Ronaldo that day, believes Riemer.

Vestergaard was ruled out following a groin operation in Denmark's two playoff matches to qualify for this summer's World Cup earlier in March.

Denmark lost the decisive match away to the Czech Republic, and thus Vestergaard has chosen to pull the plug with two years until EURO 2028.

He does not see himself as part of the project that has been started with several new and young players, he tells Politiken.

Jannik Vestergaard and #Denmark won 6-0 away vs Belarus in a #WorldCup2026 qualifier.
The central defender played full 90 mins; just like the big man with the big engine usually does:
- 90 mins in 18 of his last 19 internationals👊
- 90 mins in all 9 league games for #Leicester👊 pic.twitter.com/ZeElShz3Pc

— Lars Hendel (@larshendel) October 10, 2025

In the autumn, Vestergaard was part of the two disappointing World Cup qualifiers against Belarus and Scotland, where Denmark could have secured a ticket to the World Cup finals.

The Leicester defender says the time in the national team was the greatest and most important honor in his career and in his life since his debut in 2013.

Vestergaard, who has played for Leicester since 2021, reached 59 matches in the national team jersey for Denmark.