Antonio Rudiger retires from Germany international duty
Germany centre-back Antonio Rudiger announced on Instagram on Tuesday, September 1 that he is retiring from international football, bringing to a close a 12-year stint with the national team.
The 33-year-old finished his Germany career with 86 appearances after making his senior debut in 2014. He became a regular option at the heart of the defence, featuring at three World Cups and several European Championship campaigns, though he was not included in Germany’s squad for their 2014 World Cup triumph in Brazil.
Reflecting on his decision, Rudiger posted: "After some time spent thinking about it, I feel that the time has come for me to end my career with the national team and make way for the younger generation." He added: "When I first wore the DFB jersey in 2014, I could never have imagined in my wildest dreams that it would eventually lead to 86 international appearances." "Although we were unable to win the biggest title at the last few tournaments and had to endure some painful defeats, this period was an extremely special chapter of my life that will stay with me forever," said Rudiger on Instagram.
The defender said the move was intended to allow him to concentrate on his club career while giving younger players the chance to take over Germany’s next phase. "A new chapter is now beginning for me, one in which I will focus entirely on my club," Rudiger said.
Rudiger’s international tenure included disappointing World Cup campaigns in 2018 and 2022, when Germany failed to progress beyond the group stage. He made his final appearance for the national side at the 2026 World Cup, when Germany were knocked out by Paraguay in the round of 32.
Born in Berlin, Rudiger came through the youth systems at Borussia Dortmund and Stuttgart before moving abroad and playing for Roma, Chelsea and Real Madrid. He won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, moved to Real Madrid in 2022 and then lifted both LaLiga and the Champions League with the Spanish side in 2024.
Rudiger’s announcement means he will not be available for Jurgen Klopp’s Germany squad as they begin the process of integrating younger players, while he focuses fully on his club career.
