Messi retires from Argentina after 20 years and World Cup final defeat: Rüdiger ends Germany career
Story Timeline
1 day · 2 summary articles
Messi retires from Argentina after 20 years and World Cup final defeat: Rüdiger ends Germany career
Messi retires from Argentina national team after 21-year career and 2022 World Cup win
Continuation
Antonio Rüdiger announced his retirement from the German national football team on Tuesday, ending a 12-year international career. The 33-year-old Real Madrid defender confirmed his decision in a social media post, stating, “After some time of reflection, the moment has come for me to end my national team career and make way for the younger generation.”
Rüdiger, who debuted for Germany in a 0-0 friendly against Poland in May 2014, earned 86 caps and participated in three World Cups and two European Championships. His only major title with the national team came at the 2017 Confederations Cup in Russia. He missed the 2016 European Championship due to a knee injury sustained in training and played just one match at the 2018 World Cup, a 2-1 win over Sweden. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he was a regular starter but could not prevent Germany’s early exit.
In his statement, Rüdiger expressed gratitude to former coaches Joachim Löw, Hansi Flick, and Julian Nagelsmann, as well as youth team mentor Horst Hrubesch, for their guidance. He added, “Even though the big title eluded us in recent tournaments and we had to endure some painful defeats, this time was an extremely special chapter that will shape me forever.” He also thanked teammates for their camaraderie and fans for their support.
Rüdiger is the second German player to retire from international football after the 2026 World Cup, following goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. His departure comes as Germany prepares for a new era under incoming head coach Jürgen Klopp, with Nations League matches beginning Sept. 24 in the Netherlands, followed by games against Greece and Serbia.
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi announced his retirement from Argentina’s national team after 20 years, 207 appearances, and 125 goals—all national records. The 39-year-old forward, who led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title, confirmed his decision in an Instagram post, citing physical and emotional exhaustion after the team’s loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. Messi had previously considered retiring in 2016 after another World Cup final defeat but continued, later winning the Copa América in 2021 and the World Cup the following year.
Messi’s relationship with Argentine fans was often turbulent, with criticism intensifying after early struggles in the national team, despite his success at club level with Barcelona. His retirement marks the end of an era for Argentina, where he became a central figure after inheriting the legacy of Diego Maradona.
Follow us for live European news
- 3
- 2
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
2 further sources not geolocated
Articles
Antonio Rüdiger končal reprezentančno kariero Osrednji branilec madridskega Reala Antonio Rüdiger je končal svojo kariero v nemški nogometni reprezentanci, kjer je med letoma 2014 in 2026 odigral 86 tekem in dosegel tri zadetke.
rtv slovenia · about 2 hours ago
Ο Αντόνιο Ρούντιγκερ ανακοίνωσε την αποχώρησή του από την Εθνική Γερμανίας Ο σέντερ μπακ της Ρεάλ Μαδρίτης αποφάσισε να αφοσιωθεί αποκλειστικά στην ομάδα του, λόγω και του φρέσκου project που θέλει να παρουσιάσει ο Ζοσέ Μουρίνιο, ο οποίος τον διαβεβαίωσε ότι θα είναι βασικός
protothema · about 2 hours ago
Messi gaat met pensioen, de Argentijnse fans sloten hem pas vier jaar geleden in hun harten
trouw · about 2 hours ago
„Weg frei machen – Antonio Rüdiger tritt aus der Nationalmannschaft zurück Antonio Rüdiger wird nicht mehr für Deutschland spielen. Der Verteidiger trat am Dienstag offiziell aus der Nationalmannschaft zurück. In einer Mitteilung nennt er seine Beweggründe.
welt.de · about 2 hours ago
Colin Kaepernick: Zehn Jahre nach dem Kniefall, der ihm seine Karriere kostete [premium] Vor zehn Jahren kniete Colin Kaepernick während der US-Hymne nieder. Eine Geste gegen im Kampf Rassismus – und ein Protest, der bis heute nachwirkt.
die presse · about 2 hours ago
Messi in der Nationalelf: Eine Liebe mit Höhen und Tiefen Dass Lionel Messi nach 21 Jahren Argentiniens Nationalelf verlässt, ist nachvollziehbar und doch für viele Fans surreal. Dabei war sein Aufstieg zum Helden der „Albiceleste alles andere als eben.
faz · about 2 hours ago
Lionel Messi retires: What records and titles does Argentina legend hold? A by-the-numbers look at Messis international career with Argentina, including his individual and team honours.
aljazeera · about 2 hours ago
Beckham and Mourinho pay tribute to Messi Former England captain Sir David Beckham says Lionel Messi has inspired "millions of children worldwide," following the Argentine retiring from international football.
bbc sport · about 2 hours ago
Oranje-international Miedema opnieuw met knieblessure aan de kant Vivianne Miedema heeft opnieuw een knieblessure opgelopen. De 132-voudig international van Oranje mist daardoor de opening van de Engelse voetbalcompetitie, meldt haar club Manchester City.
rtl nieuws · about 2 hours ago
Fußball-Nationalmannschaft: Rüdiger macht Schluss im DFB-Trikot: „Weg frei machen Antonio Rüdiger beendet seine Länderspiel-Karriere. Der einstige Abwehrchef geht ohne großen Titel. Mit seinem WM-Auftritt in Amerika demonstrierte der Real-Star aber einen ausgeprägten Teamgedanken.
tagesspiegel · about 2 hours ago
Neuanfang ohne den Routinier: Antonio Rüdiger tritt aus der Nationalmannschaft zurück Der Verteidiger von Real Madrid beendet seine Länderspielkarriere. Rüdiger war lange Stammkraft der Nationalelf, steht für den Neuaufbau unter Jürgen Klopp aber nicht zur Verfügung.
tagesspiegel · about 2 hours ago
Rücktritt nach WM-Aus: Antonio Rüdiger beendet seine Länderspiel-Karriere Gut zwei Wochen vor der ersten Nominierung von Jürgen Klopp gibt Antonio Rüdiger das Ende seiner Karriere in der Nationalmannschaft bekannt. Der Verteidiger spielte 86 Mal für das DFB-Team.
faz · about 2 hours ago
No one else like him: Argentinians rally for Lionel Messi Residents of Buenos Aires say they will miss the football legend who won the 2022 World Cup for Argentina.
aljazeera · about 2 hours ago
Dvacet let s Argentinou jako legenda. ‚Je to konec jedné éry fotbalu, říká sportovní novinářka Němcová Argentinský fotbalista Lionel Messi oznámil konec v reprezentaci. A to po 20 letech. I když ho prý rozhodnutí bolí v hloubi duše, nadešel ten správný čas, napsal Messi na svém instagramu. Ukončit reprezentační kariéru se rozhodl už v červenci dva dny po konci mistrovství světa, kde Argentina neudolala Španělsko. „Messi je rozhodně legenda. Už jenom to, jak dlouho se držel na topu, okomentovala jeho konec novinářka Kristina Němcová.
irozhlas.cz · about 2 hours ago