GUNDOGAN ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

August 20, 2024August 20, 2024

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German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has announced his retirement from international football.

Gundogan announced his retirement in a post on his X handle on Monday.

The 33-year-old made his debut for Germany in 2011 and scored 19 goals in 82 appearances for the national side.

“After a few weeks of consideration, I have come to the conclusion that it is time to end my national team career,” Gundogan posted on X.

“I look back with great pride on 82 international matches for my home country -– a number I could never have dreamed of when I made my debut for the senior national team in 2011.”

“My highlight was definitely the huge honour of being able to lead the team as captain at our home European Championship this summer,” Gundogan said.

“But even before the tournament, I felt a certain tiredness in my body and also in my head, which got me thinking. And the games at club and national level are not getting any less.”

Gundogan featured in all five games for Germany at Euro 2024 and his last international appearance was in the quarter-final defeat to eventual winners Spain.

Meanwhile, the midfielder is being linked with a move back to Premier League champions Manchester City this summer after only joining Barcelona before the start of last campaign.