Victor Agali has served notice that he will no longer play for Nigeria, after being left out of the squad that went to the World Cup.

The Schalke 04 player revealed his decision in an interview with German football magazine Kicker.

He said his exclusion from Nigeria's World Cup team is the primary reason behind his decision to retire.

Nigerian football officials said he did not respond to call-ups but Agali insists he had been cold-shouldered.

Agali, who went to the Nations Cup finals in Mali but lost his place in the starting line-up after one game, said his club career had suffered because of national team commitments.

"When I played at Rostock, and now at Schalke, the national team games did not help me as far as my club career was concerned.

"My focus will be to concentrate on my career in the Bundesliga," he said.

Frank Neubarth, Schalke's new coach, has welcomed Agali's decision to quit international football.

"Victor is a super footballer and we at Schalke are well aware of all of his qualities."

Agali scored seven goals in 10 appearances for Nigeria.