Thomas Muller retires from international duty after Euro 2024
- Muller confirms his retirement from Germany duty
- Bayern Munich star finishes with 131 caps for his country
- Germany also bid farewell to Toni Kroos
By Tom Gott
Thomas Muller has confirmed his retirement from Germany duty following the conclusion of Euro 2024.
Muller made his 131st appearance for his country in the quarter-final defeat to Spain, coming off the bench in a tournament in which the 34-year-old was restricted to just two substitute appearances under Julian Nagelsmann.
The 34-year-old posted an emotional farewell video on Monday morning confirming he had called time on his international career.
"When I played my first international match over 14 years ago, I could never have dreamed of all this," Muller said. "After 131 international matches and 45 goals, I say goodbye to the German crest today."
Muller sits third on Germany's all-time appearance charts, behind only Lothar Matthaus (150) and Miroslav Klose (137), and also bagged ten goals at the World Cup - a tournament he won in 2014.
"I am grateful that I was able to accompany Thomas for part of his career, with the national team and at FC Bayern," Nagelsmann said. "It was a pleasure to work with him.
"Thomas is a passionate professional who is just as passionate about football as he was on the first day. He has enriched our European Championship team not only with his sporting qualities, but also as a leader, a role model, and a figure to identify with. I saw Thomas as a very intelligent player - football-wise, emotionally and fundamentally.
"As much as I regret that he will no longer be with us, I have great hope that Thomas will continue to shape German football in the future - as a player for FC Bayern and in other roles in the future. We will miss him very much in the national team."
Germany have also bid farewell to midfielder Toni Kroos, who retired from football altogether after the Euro 2024 elimination.