Goalkeeper Patrick Deyto retires from Philippine national team

Philippine football will bid farewell to one of its veteran goalkeepers as Patrick Deyto retires from national team duty.

Deyto initially revealed his decision to hang up his gloves after the Philippines’ final match against Malaysia in the ASEAN Championship last Saturday.

On Sunday, the men’s national team officially confirmed Deyto’s retirement.

“The gloves come down, but the legacy stands tall,” the team said in a post. “After a remarkable career between the posts for club and country, Patrick Deyto officially hangs up his national team gloves following his final PMNFT match at the Hyundai Cup.”

“From game-winning saves to guiding the backline with veteran leadership, Pat has been a pillar of strength on the pitch. Thank you for the sacrifice, the passion, and every moment you fought for the flag.”

During the 2024 edition of the ASEAN Championship, Deyto suffered a leg injury that forced him to leave the team’s campaign early.

He was included in the national team pool for the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers last March but returned to the pitch for an international match only on August 4, when the PMNFT faced Thailand.

A product of De La Salle University, Deyto, 36, first represented the Philippines at the U23 level in 2013 before joining the senior national team the following year.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA News