After zero minutes played in this summer's European Championship play-off, Pontus Jansson announced that he is ending his national team career.
A message that surprised many when Jansson just took the step up to the Premier League and is at the peak of his career.
- I did not like that presence, even though I was told that I was contributed to the group.
I never showed it when I was there.
I accepted my role, but as I got older and with my success in the club team, I had a hard time sitting on the bench last year, says Jansson.
Had you quit if you were a regular?
- No, probably not.
In retrospect, I might have been a regular and given now for the next three years, but I do not know.
The calm I have in my body and could have enjoyed my club team career, I would not have been able to do it in the same way if I had also had the national team to focus on.
You did not play a minute in the European Championships. It's not just happy faces then I guess?
- During the European Championships, decisions emerged even more clearly.
I want to enjoy life when I play football and I did not enjoy being 30 years old and sitting on the bench, it may be selfish, but I want to feel important as I do in my club team.
Now there is a bit of a defense crisis in the national team. What do you say if Janne calls and wants you back?
- I do not know… It would only be stupid if I quit a couple of months ago.
I have not thought in those terms quite honestly.
I do not think so.
The last thing Janne told me this summer was that I can always call if I want to join again.
But a possible World Cup is only a year away… It does not attract?
- Quite honestly, no.
I have experienced one World Cup and two European Championships.
I loved the national team.
But I do not have that feeling in my stomach about national team football as club team football.
I do not know if it is me who is unique or stupid but I do not get the butterflies in the stomach of the national team, no more.
I have to be honest and say that.
Watch the entire episode of "National team star" with Pontus Jansson on SVT Play.