Confirmed: Antonio Rudiger announces retirement from international football | OneFootball

Minutes after reports emerged claiming that Real Madrid star Antonio Rudiger had decided to retire from international football, the German defender has made it official and announced that he has brought his time with the national team to an end.

The 33-year-old veteran star confirmed the same with an emotional post on his social media, in which he explained the reasoning behind his decision to move on from Die Mannschaft.

Rudiger says goodbye to German NT

Kicking things off, Rudiger mentioned that after much deliberation following the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer, he felt that it was the right time for him to hang up his national team boots to make way for the new generation.

“After giving it some thought, the time has come for me to bring my career with the national team to a close and make way for the younger generation,” he wrote.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Antonio Rüdiger (@toniruediger)

Looking back at his journey with the national team, Rudiger elaborated: “When I first pulled on the DFB shirt in 2014, I could never have imagined in my wildest dreams that I would end up playing 86 international matches.

“Even though we didn’t win any major titles in recent tournaments and had to endure some painful defeats, this period has been an extremely special chapter for me, one that will shape me forever.”

Grateful to everyone

Rudiger then expressed his gratitude towards everyone who had been a part of his journey with the German national team, writing:

A huge thank you goes to:

“My team-mates: For every tackle we contested together and the camaraderie in the dressing room and at our accommodation – and above all for the friendships that will last far beyond football.

“The entire coaching and support staff: thank you for your trust over the years and for all your work behind the scenes.”

Rudiger has stepped away from Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

Contiuing, he added: “A special thank you goes to Jogi Löw, Hansi Flick and Julian Nagelsmann, who have accompanied and shaped me on my journey with the DFB. And also to my mentor in the youth national team, Horst Hrubesch.

“And, of course, to you, the fans: thank you for your support – especially for the unique atmosphere at our home European Championship in 2024.”

Concluding, Rudiger wrote: “A new chapter is now beginning for me, one in which I will focus entirely on my club. Thank you for the journey we’ve shared.”

Rudiger steps away from Germany after 12 years with the national team in which he made 86 appearances and won the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2017.