National team - Officially: Müller retires from the DFB-Team after the EM
World champion and fan favorite Thomas Müller is retiring from the German Football National Team. He made this announcement in a video on social media platforms. "Today I say goodbye to the Bundesadler after 131 international games and 45 goals," Müller said in the video. He had previously announced a conversation with German Football Team trainer Julian Nagelsmann after the home EM exit against Spain. The "Bild" had reported on Müller's decision earlier.
"Here in Pähl on this sports field is where it all began. My huge passion for football. When I was allowed to make my first international appearance for the German National Team over 14 years ago, I wouldn't have been able to imagine all the great victories and bitter defeats," Müller said in his video: "Sometimes on the ground, destroyed, only to rise again. In competition against the best players in the world, alongside fantastic teammates, with whom I have experienced countless unforgettable moments."
Third most international appearances after Matthäus and Klose
Müller played 131 times for Germany since his debut in March 2010 in a WM test against Argentina (0:1) in his hometown Munich. Only Lothar Matthäus (150) and Miroslav Klose (137) have played more often for the DFB team. The World Cup winner from 2014 will fulfill his contract with FC Bayern Munich until 2025, according to the "Bild" latest report.
"It has always made me very proud to play for my country. We have celebrated together and sometimes even shed a tear," Müller said. He thanked "all fans and all team members of the National Team." In the future, he will support the DFB Team from the tribune as a fan, so Müller.
Ten WM goals, no EM goal
Before his debut, Maradona coached him as a guest coach and sent him home with a goal in the WM quarterfinals in Cape Town with a 4:0 against Argentina. With five goals, the then 20-year-old top scorer in South Africa. Four years later, Müller was successful again at the WM with five goals - his significant contribution to the triumph in Brazil.
Curiously: At European Championships, Müller remained a goal-scoring success. In 2012, 2016, 2021, and 2024, he was present. At the home tournament, the Munich player no longer played a major role.
Lastly, "lubricant"
Trainer Nagelsmann referred to him as a "connector" and "lubricant" for the good atmosphere between younger and older players. He came into play only as a joker in the opening game against Scotland (5:1) and in the big, but ultimately fruitless build-up in the quarterfinals against Spain (1:2 n.V.).
Müller's DFB time after the early WM exit in 2018 in Russia was a rollercoaster. The then Bundestrainer Joachim Löw did not consider him, Mats Hummels, and Jerome Boateng in March 2019 - a decision that was hotly debated at the time. Müller returned to the EM 2021 - without Fortune. In the EM round of 16 against England (0:2), he missed the big equalizing chance.
"Heart on the field"
Low-successor Hansi Flick initially gave up on Müller for WM 2022, but he was there again. After the repeated group stage elimination in Qatar, Müller said in a TV interview: "It was an enormous pleasure, dear people. Many thanks. We have had incredible moments together. I gave my heart in every game." This was then interpreted as a retirement statement. Müller assured: "I have done everything with love." Nothing had changed about that at the home EURO.
- Despite retiring from the German National Team, Thomas Müller will continue to support the DFB Team as a fan.
- Lothar Matthäus and Miroslav Klose have both made more international appearances for the German National Team than Thomas Müller.
- Müller's debut for the German National Team was in a World Cup test match against Argentina in Munich, where he scored his first international goal.
- Julian Nagelsmann, the current coach of the German National Team, referred to Müller as a "connector" and "lubricant" for the team's good atmosphere.
- Diego Maradona, the Argentinian football legend, coached Müller as a guest coach and sent him home with a goal in a World Cup quarterfinal match against Argentina.
- At European Championships, Thomas Müller has played in every tournament since 2012, but has yet to score a goal.
- After the early World Cup exit in 2018, Müller's return to the German National Team was a rollercoaster, with periods of being left out and controversial decisions by the coach.
- Before his departure, Müller expressed his gratitude to all fans and team members of the German National Team, saying that playing for his country was always a source of pride for him.
