Switzerland record scorer Frei to retire

Alex Frei played for Switzerland up until 2011 and has been with FC Basel since 2009.

Valeriano Di Domenico/AFP/Getty Images

BASEL, Switzerland (AP) -- Switzerland's record international goal-scorer, Alex Frei, will retire from playing at the end of the season.

Frei says in a statement from his club FC Basel that he will look back on "a wonderful career.''

The 33-year-old forward scored 42 goals in 84 games for his country, though eventually asked not to be selected after being verbally abused at matches by some Swiss fans.

Frei has won three Swiss League titles with Basel after playing for Rennes in France and Borussia Dortmund in Germany.

Though Switzerland's key forward for a decade, Frei was unable to fulfill his potential at major tournaments.

Frei was substituted before a penalty shootout loss against Ukraine at the 2006 World Cup, and was injured early in co-host Switzerland's first match at Euro 2008.

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