The 31-year-old put himself in the frame for a recall to the Serbian team for the recent November international fixtures following his scintillating start to the season with the Sky Blues where he has topped the club's scoring charts from midfield.

Officials from Serbia contacted Ninkovic last month, expressing their interest in bringing him back into the squad before the recent World Cup qualifier against Wales and friendly against Ukraine. However, Ninkovic turned down the chance to play alongside some of world football's biggest names such as Nemanja Matic, Branislav Ivanovic and Adem Ljajic, citing the difficult travel load required to balance club and international duty as too great a burden.

In moving to Australia, Ninkovic effectively retired form international football as he is not prepared to battle the frequent travel to and from Europe while playing in a competition that doesn't break for FIFA international windows. He made 28 appearances for Serbia and played in the 2010 World Cup, but confirmed his international days are over when approached again by the Serbian Football Association (FSS) last month.

"I spoke with some people [at the Serbian Football Association], but I didn't speak with the coach [Slavoljub Muslin]," Ninkovic said. "Like I said many times, even in Serbia when I played in Serbia, for me the national team is over. Now I play in Australia and it's not too easy to go to play for the national team during this season."

In doing so, Ninkovic looks to have closed the door on the chance to play in a second World Cup with Serbia who remain a strong chance of qualifying for the tournament in Russia. Serbia sit second in their group after four games and occupy the play-off spot in Europe's Group D, two points behind leaders the Republic of Ireland and two points ahead of third-placed Wales.

The lure of another major tournament is insufficient to bring Ninkovic out of his hiatus as he selflessly says it is more important that the next generation of young Serbian players are given more opportunities with the national team.

"I think this story is finished for me," he said. "I'm 31 years old, I played in the World Cup, I played many games for the national team and I think it's now the time [for Serbia] to play some players who are younger than me.

"I'm still in Australia and I think it's not possible because I just need one day for travelling and after four or five days to recover. It's great because I like my country and it's very important to play for your national team. Like I said, I already played many times for the national team and now they play good and maybe I'm not too old for the national team, but I'm too far from Serbia, from Europe."

His immediate focus is on winning silverware with Sydney FC, especially after narrowly losing the FFA Cup final to Melbourne City on Wednesday night. Ninkovic is one of several players off contract at the end of the season but says a return to Europe is not a priority even it would enhance his chances of playing international football again.

The attacking midfielder is yet to decide whether he will remain with Sydney FC or pursue options abroad but says he is very happy with life in the harbour city.

"I still have a contract, I love this club, I love the people, the fans and it's a beautiful city," he said. "But now I don't think about this because now we have very important games and, like I said, I just want to focus on the pitch to be better and help my teammates to win the title."

Sydney FC have a chance to bounce back from Wednesday's cup loss when they travel to face Newcastle Jets on Sunday. The Sky Blues have an impressive record against the Jets, winning nine of their past 10 games.

"Everyone is disappointed [about the FFA Cup final defeat]," Ninkovic said. "We have a very important game against Newcastle, they are a good team and we need to take three points."