Germany’s 2014 world champion Thomas Müller is retiring from international football, he said in a video posted on social media on Monday.
“After almost 14 years and 131 international games, I have decided to end my career at the Germany national team,” the Bayern Munich midfielder said.
The announcement comes one day after the end of the Euro 2024 in Germany, which was Müller’s last tournament for the national team. Hosts Germany were eliminated by champions Spain in the quarter-finals.
“I want to say thank you to all fans and members of the national team. Thank you for your support in the past years,” the players said.
Career crowned by title in Brazil
Müller made his Germany debut in March 2010 and has amassed 131 caps, third on the all-time list behind Lothar Matthäus (150) und Miroslav Klose (137).
His biggest achievement with Germany was the 2014 World Cup title in Rio de Janeiro, a journey that included a historic 7-1 win against hosts Brazil in the semi-finals. Müller scored the opening goal in that game.
After the group exit at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, he was dropped by then coach Joachim Löw in 2019 alongside defenders Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng.
However, he returned for the Euro 2020, in which Germany were eliminated in the last 16 by England.
“It always made me very proud to play for my country. We celebrated together and sometimes even shed a tear together,” he said in the video.
At Euro 2024 on home soil, Müller played as a substitute in the 5-1 win against Scotland in the opening game and in the defeat to Spain.
Müller has scored 10 goals in four World Cup participations, but never hit the net at Euros, despite playing in four editions.
Müller is the second Germany player to announce his international retirement after Euro 2024.
Midfielder Toni Kroos quit all football after Germany’s exit at their home tournament while goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was also considering whether to carry on playing internationals.
Courtesy: DPA
