Antonio Rudiger, the German footballer, has officially declared his retirement from international play as of Tuesday. His last appearance for the national team occurred during the Round of 32 defeat against Paraguay in the 2026 World Cup. The Real Madrid center-back has represented Germany 86 times since making his debut in 2014.
In a heartfelt message shared on social media, Rudiger stated, “After considerable reflection, I have decided that it is time for me to conclude my international career and pave the way for the younger generation. When I first donned the DFB jersey in 2014, I never would have dreamed that it would lead to 86 appearances for my country. Although we fell short of major titles in recent tournaments and faced some tough losses, this period has been an incredibly special chapter in my life—one that will stay with me forever.”
He expressed gratitude towards various groups, saying, “A heartfelt thank you to my teammates for every duel shared and for the camaraderie in the locker room and team hotel—most importantly, for the friendships that will last beyond football. I also wish to thank the entire coaching and support staff for their years of trust and the effort they put in behind the scenes. A special mention goes to Jogi Löw, Hansi Flick, and Julian Nagelsmann, who have guided and influenced my journey with the DFB, as well as my mentor from the youth national teams, Horst Hrubesch. And of course, to the fans: thank you for your unwavering support, especially for the unforgettable atmosphere during our home EURO 2024. I am now ready to begin a new chapter, focusing entirely on my club career. Thank you for this shared journey.”
Despite a successful club career, which includes two Champions League titles as well as victories in La Liga and the FA Cup, Rudiger’s experience with the national team has been less fortunate. Germany was eliminated in the group stages of both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, and their exit in 2026 came in the Round of 32. The only significant trophy he secured with the national team was the Confederations Cup in 2017.
