Germany defender and former Real Madrid and Chelsea star Antonio Rüdiger has announced his retirement from international football, two months after making his final appearance for the national team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 33-year-old centre-back earned 86 caps for Germany during a 12-year international career, making his senior debut in May 2014 against Poland.
Announcing his decision on social media, Rüdiger said he had taken time to reflect before deciding to step away and give younger players the opportunity to represent Germany.
“After some time reflecting, the moment has come for me to end my national team career and clear the way for the young generation.”
Rüdiger’s biggest international achievement came in 2017 when he helped Germany win the FIFA Confederations Cup.
Although he was not included in Germany’s squad for the 2014 World Cup triumph in Brazil, he went on to establish himself as a key figure in the national team over the following years.
His final appearance for Germany came at the 2026 World Cup in the round-of-32 clash against Paraguay.
Rüdiger said he will now turn his full attention to his club career with Real Madrid.
“A new chapter begins for me now, in which I will focus entirely on my club.”
Born in Berlin, Rüdiger came through the youth systems at Borussia Dortmund and VfB Stuttgart before playing for AS Roma and Chelsea. During his time at Chelsea, he won the UEFA Champions League in 2021 before joining Real Madrid in 2022.
Reflecting on his international career, Rüdiger acknowledged the disappointment of falling short of major honours in recent tournaments but described his final chapter with Germany as one that would remain significant to him.
“Even though the big title eluded us in recent tournaments and we had to endure some painful defeats, this time was an incredibly special chapter for me—one that will shape me forever.”
