Germany Striker Thomas Mueller Announces Retirement from International Football

Mueller Ends Illustrious International Career After Euro 2024

Germany striker Thomas Mueller announced his retirement from international football on Monday following Germany’s disappointing exit from Euro 2024, where 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 video statement.

Mueller, who turns 35 in September, was a pivotal member of the German squad that triumphed in the 2014 World Cup. He notably scored the opening goal in Germany’s memorable 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 his retirement following Germany’s 2-1 defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 quarter-final. Spain went on to win the tournament, defeating England in the final.

After the loss to Spain, Mueller indicated that he would discuss his future with national team coach Julian Nagelsmann to determine whether stepping aside for younger players would be the best course of action.

With Mueller’s retirement, goalkeeper Manuel Neuer remains the sole active member of Germany’s 2014 World Cup-winning team in the national setup. Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos had already announced his intention to retire from football after Euro 2024.

Mueller will continue to play for Bayern Munich, where he is under contract until 2025. Only Lothar Matthaeus and Miroslav Klose have played more games for Germany than Mueller, who is also the nation’s sixth-highest goalscorer of all time.

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