After 16 years in significant connection with Hungary, Mate Lekai announces his departure from the national team player squad. The years as playmaker in the nation’s jersey brought him to medal games in the Olympics and nearly 200 caps in a central position.
Lekai broke the news via social media and also get appropriate celebratory appreciation on the federation website.
– I have made an important decision, I feel that the time has come to say goodbye to the national team. I was able to represent my country for sixteen years, fight and celebrate with you. This period gave me more than anything: friends, experiences, and a community that will remain in my heart forever.
– It is not easy to say that the time has come now, but I believe that every beautiful story has an end, he continues to the federation website.
With 13 major championship, 198 national games and 592 goals Lekai highlighted his importance for Hungary in many ways.
– The national team has suffered a great loss, both in a human and professional sense, as he was one of the most decisive players of the team in the last decade and a half, a world-class player who was a clear leader both on and off the field as a manager, says the current national team coach Chema Rodriguez to the federation website.
Lekai, 37, enjoys the role as playing manager in Ferencvaros for the 2025/26 season.
Source: LÉKAI MÁTÉ: BÚCSÚ A VÁLOGATOTTÓL