Antonio Rüdiger has called time on his international career, the Real Madrid defender announced on Tuesday via a lengthy statement on his official social media channels. The news brings the curtain down on an 86-cap spell representing Germany that began back in 2014.
What Happened
Rüdiger was part of the Germany squad that travelled to North America for the 2026 World Cup, featuring in all four of Die Mannschaft’s fixtures at the tournament. It proved to be a painful send-off, however, as Germany were eliminated in the Round of 32 by Paraguay.
What It Means for Real Madrid
In his retirement statement, the 33-year-old reflected on a career with the national team that, by his own admission, fell short of the biggest prizes. “Even though the big title eluded us at the last tournaments and we had to endure some painful defeats, this time was an incredibly special chapter for me — one that will shape me forever,” Rüdiger wrote. He also cited making way for the next generation as a key motivation behind the decision. For Los Blancos, the upside is straightforward: one of their most important defensive pillars will now arrive into every club training week with fresher legs and a clearer head.
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