Thomas Muller Retires International Football

On Sunday, Thomas Muller, Germany national team icon, announced his retirement from international football.

The 34-year-old participated in 131 caps during 14 years, scoring 45 goals. He was part of Germany’s 2014 World Cup-winning side and won the Golden Boot at the 2010 tournament in South Africa.

His final appearance was as a substitute during Germany’s quarter-final defeat by Spain, two weeks ago.

Muller’s 131 appearances make him his country’s third-most capped player, behind only Lothar Matthaus (150) and Miroslav Klose (137), while he is their joint sixth top scorer, level with Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

“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.”

Muller made his international debut against Argentina in March 2010 and scored his first international goal against Australia in the opening group game of the 2010 World Cup, and his five goals at the tournament earned him the Golden Boot and FIFA Young Player Award.