Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill has described retiring captain Jonny Evans as a “top-class player and top-class individual” but understands the 36-year-old felt he needed to focus on his Manchester United career.
The defender won 107 caps for his country, including playing all four of the side’s games at Euro 2016.
But Evans announced his retirement from international football on Thursday.
“He’s a top player, top individual to have in any squad, any team,” said O’Neill.
“The fact that Manchester United still value him as they do is a testament to that as well.”
Evans, who signed a one-year extension at Old Trafford during the summer, had previously hinted he would have retired from all football had a new deal not materialised at his boyhood club.
“It’s disappointing but it’s not something we haven’t discussed,” added O’Neill.
“We’ve discussed it over the last six months every time we’ve caught up. He never really wanted to make that decision but I think he realised to give himself a chance of making a real impact at Manchester United, it meant that the international breaks would probably help physically.
“He has a lot of commitments, three young kids as well. International football, when you’ve been doing it for 18 years, it’s a big commitment. But in terms of what he’s brought, what he’s given us over the years, he has been fantastic, a top-class player and top-class individual as well.”