Antonio Rudiger has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to a 12-year Germany career in which the Real Madrid defender made 86 appearances and featured at three World Cups.
The 33-year-old confirmed his decision on Tuesday, saying he wanted to focus on his club career and make way for younger players in the national team.
Rudiger made his senior Germany debut in May 2014 and went on to become a regular in the centre of defence during a period that included major tournaments across Europe and the World Cup stage.
“After giving it some thought, the time has come for me to bring my international career to a close and make way for the younger generation,” Rudiger said in announcing his decision.
His final appearance for Germany came in the 2026 World Cup round-of-32 defeat to Paraguay on June 29, ending an international career that produced 86 caps and three goals.
Rudiger steps away after 12 years with Germany
Rudiger’s international career began shortly before Germany won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, although he was not part of the squad that lifted the trophy.
He subsequently established himself as one of Germany’s most experienced defenders, representing the national side at three World Cups and two European Championships.
Germany endured difficult World Cup campaigns in 2018 and 2022, when the four-time champions were eliminated in the group stage. The team’s 2026 campaign also ended earlier than expected with the defeat to Paraguay.
Rudiger nevertheless remained a prominent figure in the national side and finishes his career level with several notable former Germany internationals on 86 appearances.
“When I first pulled on the DFB shirt in 2014, I could never have imagined in my wildest dreams that I would end up playing 86 international matches,” he said.
Real Madrid becomes Rudiger’s sole focus
Born in Berlin, Rudiger developed through the youth systems at Borussia Dortmund and Stuttgart before beginning a club career that took him to Roma, Chelsea and Real Madrid.
He won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021 before joining Real Madrid in 2022, where he added further major honours, including LaLiga and another Champions League title.
Rudiger said his attention will now turn entirely towards his commitments in Madrid as he begins the next stage of his career.
“A new chapter is now beginning for me, one in which I will focus entirely on my club,” he said.
His retirement closes a significant chapter for Germany, with the national team now set to continue its rebuilding process without one of its most experienced defenders of the past decade.
For Rudiger, the decision brings to an end an international journey that began in 2014 and concluded after 86 appearances, three goals and more than a decade at the heart of Germany’s defence.
Antonio Rudiger’s Germany international record provides further details of his 12-year career with the national team.r to focus on Real Madrid.
