Antonio Rudiger Retires from International Football

Antonio Rudiger, a 33-year-old defender for Real Madrid, has announced his retirement from international football. This decision comes two months after his final appearance for Germany at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the team was eliminated in the last-32 round by Paraguay.

Rudiger made 86 appearances for Germany since his debut in 2014. He stated that he reached this decision after careful reflection, believing it is time to make way for younger players in the national team.

He expressed his intention to concentrate fully on his club career with Real Madrid, where he remains under contract for the remainder of the season. Rudiger's international career included a significant achievement in 2017 when he helped Germany win the FIFA Confederations Cup.

Despite Germany's struggles in recent tournaments, he described his time with the national team as an incredibly special chapter of his career.