Germany striker Thomas Mueller announced his retirement from international football on Monday after Germany’s disappointing exit from Euro 2024. The host nation was eliminated in the quarter-finals.
“After 131 national team games and 45 goals, I am saying goodbye,” Mueller said in a heartfelt video statement.
Mueller, who will turn 35 in September, was a pivotal member of the German squad that clinched the 2014 World Cup. He notably scored the opening goal in Germany’s historic 7-1 victory over Brazil in the semi-final.
Reflecting on his career, Mueller said, “When I played my first international match for the German national team over 14 years ago, I could never have dreamed of all this. It always made me very proud to play for my country. We celebrated together and sometimes shed a tear together.”
Mueller had hinted at retirement following Germany’s 2-1 quarter-final loss to Spain, the eventual champions who defeated England in the final. After the match, he mentioned he would discuss his future with national team coach Julian Nagelsmann to determine if stepping aside for younger players was the right choice.
With Mueller’s retirement, goalkeeper Manuel Neuer remains the only active player from Germany’s 2014 World Cup-winning team still involved in the national setup. Germany and Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos had already announced his intention to retire from football after Euro 2024.
Despite retiring from international duty, Mueller will continue to play for Bayern Munich, where he is under contract until 2025. Mueller’s international career places him among the legends, with only Lothar Matthaeus and Miroslav Klose having more appearances for Germany. He also ranks as Germany’s sixth-highest goalscorer of all time.
