Germany captain Ilkay Gundogan has retired from worldwide soccer.
The 33-year-old introduced his resolution in an announcement on social media, simply over a month after main his nation on the European Championship, the place hosts Germany had been eradicated within the quarter-finals by eventual winners Spain.
The previous Manchester Metropolis midfielder made 82 appearances for his nation having made his worldwide debut in 2011.
“After just a few weeks of consideration, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s time to finish my nationwide workforce profession,” he mentioned.
He added: “My spotlight was undoubtedly the large honour of with the ability to lead the workforce as captain at our dwelling European Championships final summer season! In any case these years, we lastly managed to make the nation proud once more — I’m very joyful that I used to be capable of play an element in that.”
Gundogan, who’s exploring the choice of a transfer away from Barcelona this summer season, mentioned he referred to as time on his worldwide profession after feeling “tiredness in my physique and my head” earlier than the beginning of Euro 2024.
He concluded: “I’ll undoubtedly proceed to be a fan of this nationwide workforce and I actually hope that we will proceed the upward development collectively – after which there’s nothing to cease us from being one of many closest contenders for the title on the 2026 World Cup. Now we have a implausible coach, a very robust workforce and a fantastic workforce spirit.”
Metropolis are understood to be inquisitive about signing Gundogan, who received 5 Premier League titles, two FA Cups and one Champions League throughout his six-year keep in Manchester.
He joined Barcelona final summer season on a free switch however is contemplating his future on the Camp Nou after only one season in Spain.
GO DEEPER
Metropolis inquisitive about Gundogan reunion
(Alex Grimm/Getty Photographs)
