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League: Champions LeagueSport: SoccerCountry: GermanyCategory: Scores & Results

Antonio Rüdiger retires from the German national team

9 sources • 3 min read • Latest: Sep 1, 2026, 7:06 PM

Last updated Sep 1, 2026

Antonio Rüdiger retires from the German national team
Summary

Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger has reportedly decided to retire from international soccer with Germany. Although an official announcement from the player has not yet been issued, reports indicate the 33-year-old plans to step away to focus on his professional career. Rüdiger has represented Germany for over a decade, with his lone international title being the 2017 Confederations Cup. The defender has struggled with injuries over the past two seasons and aims to reduce his match load to remain healthy for Real Madrid. This move follows a recurring pattern of players prioritizing club duties during international breaks to extend their playing careers. His current contract at Real Madrid is set to expire next summer.

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Status Watch
  • •Antonio Rüdiger intends to retire from international soccer with the German national team.
  • •The defender has played for Germany for more than ten years.
  • •Rüdiger won the 2017 Confederations Cup as his only major international title.
  • •The decision aims to address recent injury concerns and prioritize club matches for Real Madrid.
  • •No official retirement announcement has been released by the player.
Latest Updates
  • 8:50 AMYahoo Sports — Real Madrid star Antonio Rudiger announces Germany retirement
  • 8:05 PMYahoo Sports — Real Madrid star announces international retirement
  • 7:56 PMESPN Soccer — Rüdiger retires from Germany's national team
  • 6:20 PMYahoo Sports — Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger announces retirement from German national team
  • 3:05 PMYahoo Sports — Confirmed: Antonio Rudiger announces retirement from international football
  • 3:04 PMYahoo Sports — Defender Antonio Rüdiger ends German national team career
  • 2:56 PMYahoo Sports — Rüdiger confirms international retirement
  • 2:47 PMYahoo Sports — Breaking: Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger announces his retirement from international football
What they're saying
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Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger has retired from the German national team. The 33-year-old from Neukölln in Berlin said in an Instagram post on Tuesday it was time for him to end his career after more than 12 years with the senior German men’s team to clear the way for “the young generation.” Rüdiger’s announcement comes two months after Germany’s World Cup exit in a penalty shootout to Paraguay, and a day after Argentina great Lionel Messi announced his international retirement.

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Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger has decided to retire from the German national team to focus on his club, according to a report published on MARCA. The defender hasn’t published an announcement yet. Rüdiger leaves the Mannschaft after more than a decade as an international, with the 2017 Confederations Cup as his only title won […]

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