Thomas Muller of Germany retires from international football

Veteran striker Thomas Muller of Germany, 34, announced on Monday his retirement from international football after making his final appearance for the national team at Euro 2024 at home.

Muller has played 131 games for Germany, the third-most next to 150 of Lothar Matthaus and 137 of Miroslav Klose, and tied Karl-Heinz Rummenigge with 45 goals, the sixth-most in team history.

Muller made his national team debut against Argentina in March 2010, scored his first international goal against Australia at the FIFA World Cup in South Africa in 2010. He won the Golden Boot with five goals and FIFA Young Player Award at that tournament.

Four years later, Muller netted five again for Germany at the World Cup in Brazil, where they became the world champions for the fourth time.

Muller played for Germany for the last time when he was substituted in the 80th minute against Spain in the quarterfinals at Euro 2024 on July 5.

“Nobody is like Thomas Muller,” director of the German national team Rudi Voller said. “His value for German football cannot be overestimated. Whether in all his years at FC Bayern or with the national team – with Thomas, every team has always had a face, an exemplary character, in addition to a top striker. His game is unorthodox, intuitive, unpredictable and that is exactly why it is successful.”

“I am grateful that I was able to accompany Thomas for part of his career, with the national team and at FC Bayern,” Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said. “It was a pleasure to work with him. Thomas is a passionate professional who is just as passionate about football as he was on the first day. He has enriched our European Championship team not only with his sporting qualities, but also as a leader, a role model, and a figure to identify with.”

Muller’s current contract with Bayern will expire in 2025.