Despite superb form: ex-BVB star Groß retires from Germany duty | OneFootball

Despite his gala performance against Arsenal FC, Pascal Groß no longer plays for Germany. The chapter of the national team is definitively closed for the 35-year-old midfielder. The former Borussia Dortmund pro has explained the reasons why he will no longer turn out for the DFB team.

In the late autumn of his career, Groß is truly hitting top form again at Brighton & Hove Albion. Across all competitions, he has scored four goals in eight matches and also provided four assists. His role as captain underlines his importance to the Seagulls. In the spectacular 3-0 triumph over Arsenal FC on Saturday (19 September), the German playmaker emerged as the absolute match-winner. First, he hammered the ball into the net from 18 metres in the 31st minute to give his side the lead, before later delivering a perfect corner for former Stuttgart player Chema (21) to seal the final score (57th).

Speaking to Sky after the match, Groß was asked about new national team coach Jürgen Klopp (59) and his impact on the DFB team. Asked how much fresh momentum he expected, he replied according to BILD briefly and bluntly: “An extreme amount.” He also sent his best wishes to the German national team: “I’m really keeping my fingers crossed for the new generation.”

Then the midfielder dropped the bombshell: Groß declared his career with the DFB team over. Since the Mannheim-born player is not active on the usual online platforms, he chose the direct route in front of the camera: “Officially — because I don’t have social media — I haven’t announced my retirement. But I have already retired; for me, it was over after the World Cup.” Now, he said, it was time for him “to wish the new generation nothing but the best.”

“Still enjoying playing football”

After 19 international appearances (one goal), the former BVB pro is drawing a line under his time with the Germany team. The 35-year-old views the fact that this step comes in the middle of his absolute peak form in the English Premier League pragmatically: “I’m still enjoying playing football here at the club, but in Germany there is a transition going on, and that’s a good thing too. I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed for them.”

Photo: Getty Images

The midfielder only found his way into the national team comparatively late: in 2023, at the age of 32, he made his international debut under then national team coach Hansi Flick (61). Later, his successor Julian Nagelsmann (39) also called him up to Germany’s squad for the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA.

Groß played his last international in the final World Cup group match against Ecuador (1-2). In the last game of the group stage, the strategist came on as a substitute in the 73rd minute. His contract with Brighton runs until the summer of 2027.

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