Image: Agencia Xinhua
Antonio Rüdiger Retires from Germany After 12 Years
Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.
At a glance
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Official statement
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- Antonio Rüdiger announced his retirement from Germany after more than 12 years and 86 international appearances.
- The 33-year-old made his debut in 2014 and played in five major tournaments, including Germany’s 2017 Confederations Cup-winning team.
- Rüdiger said he would focus fully on his club career and make way for a new generation of players.
Antonio Rüdiger is stepping away from Germany after more than 12 years in the national team and 86 international appearances. The Real Madrid defender announced the decision on social media, 16 days before Germany’s squad is due to be named for upcoming Nations League matches against the Netherlands, Greece and Serbia.
After some time for reflection, the moment has come for me to end my career with the German national team and make way for the new generation.
“After some time for reflection, the moment has come for me to end my career with the German national team and make way for the new generation,” Rüdiger said. He made his Germany debut on May 13, 2014, in a 0-0 draw with Poland. He was not included in the squad that won the World Cup in Brazil later that year.
Rüdiger went on to play at five major tournaments. He started for the team that won the 2017 Confederations Cup and was part of Germany’s run to the Euro 2024 quarterfinals. Germany lost 2-1 to Spain at that stage.
When I first put on the national-team shirt, I could not have dreamed that I would play 86 international matches.
“ When I first put on the national-team shirt, I could not have dreamed that I would play 86 international matches,” Rüdiger said. He acknowledged that Germany had missed out on a major title in its latest tournaments and endured painful defeats, but called the period an exceptionally special chapter that would stay with him forever.
Although the major title eluded us in the latest tournaments and we had to absorb some painful defeats, this time has been an exceptionally special chapter for me that will stay with me forever.
His next focus will be club football. “A new chapter now begins for me, one in which I will concentrate completely on my club. Thank you for sharing the journey,” he said.
A new chapter now begins for me, one in which I will concentrate completely on my club. Thank you for sharing the journey.
About this summary
Originally published by Cooperativa in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.
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