Antonio Rüdiger Ends His Germany Career

Antonio Rüdiger has closed the door on Germany after 86 appearances, saying it is time to make room for a younger generation. The 33-year-old Real Madrid defender announced his immediate international retirement in a message posted on social media, two months after representing the Mannschaft at the World Cup in North America.

"After taking some time to reflect on it, the time has come for me to end my career with the national team and make way for the younger generation," Rüdiger wrote. He later added: "A new chapter is opening for me, and I will be focused entirely on my club."

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After taking some time to reflect on it, the time has come for me to end my career with the national team and make way for the younger generation.

Rüdiger made his Germany debut in 2014, a month before the team won the World Cup in Brazil. He did not make Joachim Löw’s squad for that tournament. At club level, he later played for Roma from 2015 to 2017, Chelsea from 2017 to 2022 and Real Madrid from 2022. His current contract with the Spanish club runs until June 2027.

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A new chapter is opening for me, and I will be focused entirely on my club.

His biggest club achievements include Champions League victories with Chelsea in 2021 and Real Madrid in 2024. Germany’s recent record brought more disappointment. The team exited the World Cup group stage in 2018 and 2022 before losing to Paraguay in the round of 32 at the 2026 tournament.

"Despite not winning major titles at recent tournaments and suffering painful defeats, this period has been a special and incredible chapter for me that I will remember forever," Rüdiger said. His only title with Germany came at the 2017 Confederations Cup, a competition that has since been discontinued.

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Despite not winning major titles at recent tournaments and suffering painful defeats, this period has been a special and incredible chapter for me that I will remember forever.