Luke Dimech has decided to call time on his international career in light of his continued omission from the national squad.
The Valletta defender has written a letter to Joe Mifsud, the MFA president, explaining the reasons for his decision to retire from international football.
"It is with regret that I announce that a letter has been sent to the president of the Malta Football Association and national teams' manager (Ivan Vella) informing them that I have withdrawn my availability for selection to the Maltese national side," Dimech said in a strongly-worded statement.
"Comments have been made by the present national coach (John Buttigieg) in the media that the door was still open for me to return to the national side but it has become clear that my services are no longer wanted.
"I was left out of the squad for the last five games played by the national team and, once again, I have been excluded from the latest squad which was announced recently.
"At no stage during this period was any contact made with me by the national coach or his assistant."
Dimech, 33, had been a mainstay of the national team for much of the past decade but has been out of the equation since being controversially axed by Buttigieg prior to the friendly match against Georgia last August, Malta's first game under the charge of the former Birkirkara mentor.
At the time, The Times reported that Dimech had been dropped over the colour of his hair but in subsequent media conferences, Buttigieg insisted that this was a dressing-room matter.
In his statement, Dimech claimed that his exclusion from the squad for the Georgia game had nothing to do with football. "My being left out of the national squad was not football-related, but due to a hair colour I had at the time. Right after the Georgia game, I changed my hair colour but no call-up or contact was forthcoming," Dimech said.
"I have conducted myself with integrity and have, until now, refrained from making any comments despite being pressed to do so by the media. This was done to leave the option for a call-up open and not to sour relations with the national coach.
"I have always been fully committed to the national team.
"This is proven by the fact that I always gave preference to the national side when I was playing abroad, even at the risk of losing my first team place and incurring financial losses over this five-year period.
"I have given sterling and loyal service under numerous foreign coaches, making 66 appearances for Malta over a period of 10 years. I have represented my country with a lot of pride. At no stage did I have any friction or disciplinary problems with the foreign national team coaches.
"In view of all this, and to end all speculation, I've been left with no option but to take the decision that I have taken as I have lost confidence in the national coach and his assistant (Carmel Busuttil).
"I would like to thank the Malta FA for the opportunity they have given me to represent my country for the last 10 years."
Dimech last figured for Malta in the 4-0 defeat to Sweden in a 2010 World Cup qualifier in Gothenburg. On that occasion, the 33-year-old was team captain and was also voted as Malta's best player.