Thank you, Mats: Germany bids farewell to BVB legend Hummels | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund legend Mats Hummels celebrated his official farewell from the national team in Cologne. Fans, the DFB, and companions honored the 2014 World Cup winner with a grand choreography and emotional words.

656 days after his last international match, the German Football Association officially bid farewell to World Cup winner Mats Hummels. Before the World Cup qualifying match against Northern Ireland in Cologne (3:1), the 36-year-old was honored by DFB President Bernd Neuendorf and Sports Director Rudi Völler. He received a collage with the inscription "Mr. Außenrist" and a picture frame with photos of his career. On the stadium screen, the words "Thank you, Mats" appeared in large letters.

The fans in Cologne gave Hummels an emotional reception. A choreography was displayed on the south stand, depicting a white Germany jersey with the number five, flanked by the national colors. A large banner read: "Masterfully Distinguished Vigorously Strong." Chants for the 2014 World Cup winner echoed through the Rheinenergiestadion.

Hummels himself was moved: "I always said that I wouldn't retire from the national team during my active career, that I would always come when the national coach calls. Therefore, my non-nomination for the 2024 European Championship was somewhat of an open end. That's why it's very nice that it has come to this now, I was very pleased when Rudi Völler called five weeks ago and wanted to talk about it." He added to the RTL microphone: "It was an open end with the non-nomination in 2024, and so it's a nice conclusion."

Emotional Moment: DFB Honors BVB Legend Mats Hummels in Cologne

Hummels made his national team debut on May 13, 2010, in a 3-0 win against Malta. He played a total of 78 international matches and scored five goals. His header goal for the 1-0 in the 2014 World Cup quarter-final against France remains unforgettable – a decisive step towards the later title. His last international match was on November 21, 2023, in a 0-2 loss in Austria.

Mats Hummels also left his mark on club football for many years: With Borussia Dortmund (2011, 2012) and FC Bayern Munich (2017, 2018, 2019), he won five German championships. After his time in Dortmund, he ended his active career in the summer of 2025 at AS Roma. In August, he had already received an official farewell from BVB during a friendly match against Juventus.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.