İlkay Gündoğan has announced his retirement from international football with the German national team. At 33 years old, Gündoğan, who has been a key figure in the team and recently captained during the European Championships, shared the news on social media.
In his statement, Gündoğan expressed pride in his 82 appearances for Germany, emphasizing the honor of having led the team as captain.
He mentioned feeling a certain level of physical and mental fatigue, which influenced his decision to step away from the international stage. Gündoğan also stated that he would continue to support the team and expressed optimism about their chances for the 2026 World Cup, praising the current coach, the strength of the squad, and their collective spirit.
« The highlight for me was undoubtedly the immense honor of leading the team as captain during our home European Championships last summer! After all these years, we finally managed to bring pride back to the nation. Being part of that makes me very happy. But even before the tournament, I was already feeling a certain fatigue in my body and mind, which made me think. The matches at club and country levels are not decreasing, » he said, before adding:
« I will certainly continue to be a fan of this national team, and I sincerely hope that the positive trend can continue – and then nothing will stop us from being one of the closest contenders for the 2026 World Cup title. We have a fantastic coach, a really strong team, and great team spirit. »
This announcement comes amid rumors of a possible departure from Barcelona and a potential return to Manchester City.
