Thomas Müller Retires from the German National Team
After 14 years as an international player and 131 matches under his belt, Müller officially announced his farewell to the national team on Monday.
After more than 131 international matches and 14 years with the German national team, Thomas Müller officially announced his farewell to the team on Monday. He has played in four World Cups and four European Championships.
"After 131 international matches and 45 goals, I say goodbye to the federal eagle" on the German tricolor flag, Müller said in an emotional video posted on his official website.
His last match with the Mannschaft was against Spain in the Eurocup held at home.
Müller, who won the 2014 World Cup with Germany, thanked the fans for their support and said it has always "filled him with pride" to represent his country internationally.
"We have celebrated together and sometimes cried together. I would like to thank all the fans and members of the team. Thank you for your support over the years," he said.
Finally, he recommended embracing the "enthusiasm and joy of this year's Eurocup and supporting the team on their way to the 2026 World Cup."
"I will also do so, now as a fan in the stands and no longer as a player on the field," emphasized the Bayern Munich forward.
Müller, who still has one year left on his contract with Bayern, leaves the national team as the third most-capped player in 'Nationalelf' history and the sixth highest scorer.
The German player debuted with the national team in March 2010, in a friendly against Argentina, and in his fourteen-year international career, he has played in four World Cups and four European Championships.
His debut in a major tournament took place in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where he was the top scorer. His crowning moment came with Germany's World Cup victory in Brazil 2014 against Argentina.
After being sidelined by coach Joachim Löw following the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Müller returned to the national team for the 2021 Eurocup.
Contrasting with his successes in the premier international team tournament, Müller found the Eurocup to be his unlucky competition. In four participations, including the last one, he neither won the title nor scored any goals.
