Jérôme Boateng played for Bayern Munich for years. © APA/epa / SVEN HOPPE

Jérôme Boateng: A world champion retires

Former German international football player Jérôme Boateng is ending his career.

September 19, 2025

From: dpa/det

The 2014 World Cup winner made the announcement on social media. "Football has given me a lot," the 37-year-old said in a video featuring images and clips from his career. "I've learned, won, and lost." Now it's time to move on. He's grateful for everything, the former defender explained.

Winning the World Cup with the German national team eleven years ago in Brazil was the greatest success of the Berlin native's career. At the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, he played with the German national team against, among others, his half-brother Kevin-Prince Boateng, who represented Ghana. In 2016, he was named Germany's Footballer of the Year.

Boateng won the 2014 World Cup with Mats Hummels (center) and Thomas Müller (right). © APA/afp / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV

Boateng made his Bundesliga debut for Hertha BSC in January 2007. With FC Bayern Munich, for whom he played for a total of ten years, the defender won nine German championship titles, two Champions League titles, and five DFB Cups.

Ten years and many titles with Bayern

After leaving Munich in 2021, Boateng's sporting career had become increasingly quiet. He played for Olympique Lyon in France, US Salernitana in Italy, and most recently Linzer ASK in Austria.

Boateng retires. © APA/afp / JEFF PACHOUD

In August, Boateng terminated his contract with Linz, which was originally due to run until 2026, after just 14 competitive matches for the club. "It was an enriching experience to work in a new environment again. Now the time is right for me to open a new chapter," the 76-time national player said at the time.

In November 2024, Boateng also received his B-level coaching license in a special course run by the Bavarian Football Association (BFV). According to a statement from the BFV, he explained that he was "naturally a bit nervous" before the exam.