Germany Defender Mertesacker Retires from International Football

Per Mertesacker has called time on his ten-year journey with the Germany national team, which culminated with winning the World Cup trophy last month.

The Arsenal defender has told the Suddeutsche Zeitung that Germany’s 1-0 win over Argentina at the Maracana Stadium, was the “end” of his international career.

The 29-year-old has shifted his attention to winning more silverware at Arsenal, after last season’s FA Cup glory.

Per Mertesacker Quits International Football.
Per Mertesacker Quits International Football.

Speaking about the two month he spent with ‘Die Nacionalmannschaft” in Brazil, Mertesacker added: “They were the eight best weeks of our lives.”

After coming through the U-20 and U-21 national team’s ranks, he made his senior debut in October 2004. The ex-Werder Bremen centre-back went on to score four goals in his 103 Germany caps.

He is the third member of Germany’s World Cup-winning team to retire from international duties, heading towards the same direction as captain Philipp Lahm and Miroslav Klose’s.