Thomas Müller no longer plays for Germany
Thomas Müller ended his career in the German football national team. After 131 games, it's over. The EM-Quarterfinal against Spain was his last game for the Bayern professional. However, he will still fulfill his contract in Munich.
World champion and fan favorite Thomas Müller retires from the German team. This decision was made by the 34-year-old, confirmed the DFB to RTL. Already after the Quarterfinal exit at home EM against Spain, Müller had announced a conversation with national team coach Julian Nagelsmann.
Müller played 131 times for Germany since his debut in March 2010 in a WM test against Argentina (0:1) in his Munich hometown. Only Lothar Matthäus (150) and Miroslav Klose (137) have played more often for the DFB team. The World Champion of 2014 will fulfill his contract until 2025 at FC Bayern Munich.
Before his debut, Maradona had invited him as a guest coach for a young player. A few months later, Müller sent Argentina and Maradona home with a goal in the WM Quarterfinal in Cape Town at the 4:0. With five goals, the then 20-year-old top scorer in South Africa. Four years later, Müller was again five times successful at the WM.
Curiously: At European Championships, Müller failed to score a goal. In 2012, 2016, 2021 and 2024, he was there. At the home tournament, the Munich player no longer played a major role.
Sorted out once
National team coach Julian Nagelsmann had called him a "connector" and "lubricant" for the good mood 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 against Spain (1:2 n.V.).
Müller's DFB time after the early WM exit in 2018 in Russia was up and down. The then national team coach Joachim Löw did not consider him, Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng in March 2019 anymore - a decision that was hotly debated at the time. Müller came back to the EM 2021 without Fortuna. In the EM Round of 16 against England (0:2), he missed the big equalizing chance.
Löw's successor Hansi Flick then initially also did without Müller, but he was there again at the WM 2022. After the renewed group stage exit in Qatar, Müller said in a TV interview: "It was an enormous pleasure, dear people. Many thanks. We have had incredible moments together. I have given my heart in every game." This was then interpreted as a retirement announcement. He had done it all "with love," Müller assured. Nothing had changed at the home EM.
Despite retiring from the national soccer team, Thomas Müller will still complete his contract at FC Bayern Munich. The European Football Championship 2024 will mark his first major tournament absence, following his decision announced after the 2022 World Cup exit. The DFB and coach Julian Nagelsmann have recognized Müller's impact within the team, as he served as a unifying force between younger and older players.
