Meknes – Real Madrid centre-back Antonio Rudiger has stepped down from international duty following a 12-year stint with Germany.
The 33-year-old defender called time on his 86-cap career with the national team to shift his full attention to club football and open up opportunities for emerging young talent.
Since making his senior debut in 2014, the veteran defender established himself as a cornerstone of Germany’s backline across three World Cups and multiple European Championship tournaments.
The Real Madrid defender reflected on his decision and expressed gratitude for his time with the national team before officially stepping down.
“After some time to reflect, the time has come for me to end my career with the national team and make way for the younger generation,” Rudiger wrote on Instagram.
Acknowledging the team’s recent struggles, Rudiger looked back on his international journey with deep appreciation.
“Even though we didn’t win a major title in recent tournaments and had to endure some painful defeats, this time has been an extremely special chapter for me, one that will shape me forever,” he added.
Although Rudiger missed out on Germany’s 2014 World Cup triumph, he featured in the group-stage exits of 2018 and 2022.
The defender’s international career ultimately came to a close at the 2026 World Cup, where Germany’s round-of-32 loss to Paraguay served as his final appearance in a national team jersey.
The German international developed through the youth ranks at Borussia Dortmund and VfB Stuttgart before embarking on a top-tier club career that included stints at Roma, Chelsea, and Real Madrid.
After winning the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, Rudiger made the switch to Real Madrid in 2022, where he added both a La Liga championship and another Champions League title to his cabinet in 2024.
