Claudio Ranieri (left) and Mats Hummels (right) high-five each other. © APA/afp / ANDER GILLENEA

Hummels ends career in summer

Mats Hummels is ending his career after this season. The 36-year-old 2014 World Cup winner announced this on Instagram.

04 April 2025

From: dpa

"After more than 18 years and so much that football has given me, I'm ending my career this summer," Hummels said in a video message featuring many moments from his career. "When I see all of this, I realize even more how much this whole journey, this whole path, has meant to me, how extraordinary it was to be able to experience it."

Hummels won the German championship five times and the DFB Cup three times with FC Bayern and Borussia Dortmund. The central defender most recently played for AS Roma, but was no longer a regular in the starting lineup. His contract ends this summer.

Winning goal scorer in the World Cup quarter-finals

The long-time international celebrated his greatest success in 2014 with the World Cup victory in Brazil. He headed the 1-0 winner in the quarterfinals against France, having previously headed in the 4-0 opening goal against Portugal. He scored five goals in 2 international appearances. He was denied the Champions League title, losing 0-78 to FC Bayern Munich in the 2013 final at London's Wembley Stadium.

Hummels is currently defending for Roma. © ANSA / LUIS TEJIDO

In his video, he appeared deeply moved. "I'm struggling with emotions right now. Now comes the moment that no footballer can avoid," he began his message. He then looked back gratefully on his great career. "It takes a lot: the right coaches at the right time. Being fit at the right time, the right teammates at the right time." He will miss the big stadiums and the fans like those on Dortmund's South Stand: "It was wonderful to be able to play in front of such crowds, in front of the fans, and I will miss that, I will miss it terribly."