After Germany’s elimination from Euro 2024, Thomas Muller announces his retirement from playing for the national team, ending a 14-year career in international football.

Thomas Muller, the German football legend, has announced his retirement from international football after a remarkable 14-year career with the national team.

Muller, who earned an impressive 131 caps, bid farewell to the German squad following their exit from Euro 2024 at the quarter-final stage, where they were defeated 2-1 by eventual champions Spain in extra time.

The emotional scenes that followed the match in Stuttgart saw Muller in tears as he played his final game on home soil. Reflecting on his time with the national team, the 34-year-old expressed his gratitude and pride in representing his country.

In a heartfelt video posted on YouTube, Muller thanked the fans and his teammates for their support and shared his excitement for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, which he will now experience as a fan in the stands.

Muller’s journey with the German national team began in 2010 when he made his debut as a substitute in a friendly against Argentina at the Allianz Arena, his home stadium during his 16-year tenure with Bayern Munich.

He quickly established himself as a key player and made a significant impact in his first major international tournament, the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Muller finished as the joint-leading goalscorer with five goals in six games, although Germany were eventually eliminated by Spain in the semi-finals.

Throughout his illustrious career, Muller participated in eight major tournaments, including four World Cups and four European Championships. His most memorable achievement came in 2014 when he played a crucial role in Germany’s triumph at the World Cup in Brazil.

Muller scored five goals, including a memorable hat-trick against Portugal in the opening game, as Germany secured their fourth world title by defeating Lionel Messi’s Argentina 1-0 in the final at the Maracana Stadium in Rio.

Despite his remarkable success at the World Cup, Muller was unable to replicate his goalscoring prowess at the European Championships, failing to find the net in his 17 appearances. Nevertheless, his overall contribution to the German national team cannot be understated.

With 45 goals to his name, Muller ranks joint-fifth in the German goalscoring charts, alongside football legends such as Miroslav Klose, Gerd Muller, and Lukas Podolski.

With 131 appearances, Muller concludes his international career as Germany’s third most-capped player, behind only Lothar Matthaus (150) and Miroslav Klose (137).

As he bids farewell to the national team, Muller leaves behind a remarkable legacy and a lasting impact on German football. His retirement marks the end of an era, but his contributions will forever be remembered by fans and teammates alike.