Thomas Müller draws the line

World champion and fan favorite Thomas Müller is leaving the German national football team.

July 15, 2024

From: dpa

The 34-year-old announced his decision in a video on social media. "After 131 international matches and 45 goals, I say goodbye to the federal eagle today," said Müller in the video. After the quarter-finals at the home European Championship against Spain, Müller had already announced a conversation with national football coach Julian Nagelsmann. Most recently, the BILD reported on Müller’s decision.

"It all started here in Pähl on this sports field. My huge enthusiasm for football. When I played my first international match for the German national team over 14 years ago, I could never have dreamed of all this, great victories and bitter defeats," said Müller in his video: "Sometimes devastated and then getting back up again. Competing against the best players in the world, alongside fantastic teammates with whom I experienced countless unforgettable moments."

“After 131 games and 45 goals, I say goodbye to the Federal Eagle” Thomas Müller

Müller has played 2010 times for Germany since his debut in March 0 in a World Cup friendly against Argentina (1:131) in his hometown of Munich. Only record holder Lothar Matthäus (150) and Miroslav Klose (137) have played more often for the DFB team. The 2014 World Champion will, however, fulfil his contract with FC Bayern Munich, which runs until 2025, reported the BILD last further.

"It always made me very proud to play for my country. We celebrated together and sometimes even shed a tear together," said Müller. He thanked "all the fans and all the members of the national team." In the future, he will also keep his fingers crossed for the DFB team as a fan from the stands, said Müller.

Ten World Cup goals, no European Championship goals

Before his debut, Diego Maradona mistook him for a ball boy when he was the guest coach. A few months later, Müller sent Argentina and Maradona home with a goal in the World Cup quarter-finals in Cape Town in a 4-0 win. With five goals, the then 20-year-old became top scorer in South Africa. Four years later, Müller scored five more goals at the World Cup - his major contribution to the triumph in Brazil.

Thomas Müller at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. © APA/epa / ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH

Curiously, Müller failed to score a goal at the European Championships. He took part in continental championships in 2012, 2016, 2021 and 2024. The Munich native no longer played a major role in the home tournament.

Finally, “lubricant”

National coach Nagelsmann had described him as a "connector" and "lubricant" for the good atmosphere between younger and older players. He was only used as a joker in the opening game against Scotland (5:1) and in the big but ultimately useless fightback in the quarter-final against Spain (1:2 after extra time).