Former Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has officially retired from international football. The 33-year-old announced his decision on social media, following Germany’s elimination in the quarter-finals of the European Championship this past summer.
In his post, Gundogan shared, “After a few weeks of consideration, I have decided it’s time to end my national team career. Reflecting on my 82 international caps fills me with immense pride – a number I could never have imagined when I debuted for the senior team in 2011.”
Gundogan highlighted the honor of captaining Germany during the home European Championship as a career highlight, expressing his joy in contributing to making the nation proud once again. He also revealed that fatigue, both physical and mental, had been building even before the tournament, leading him to contemplate his future.
Despite stepping back from international duties, Gundogan remains supportive of the team’s future prospects. “I will always be a fan of this national team and hope we can keep up the positive momentum. With our fantastic coach, strong squad, and great team spirit, we can be serious contenders for the 2026 World Cup,” he added.
Gundogan’s announcement comes amid rumors about his club future, despite being under contract with Barcelona until 2026. Reports suggest he may have requested a transfer, just a year after joining the Catalan club on a free transfer. A return to Manchester City, where he made over 300 appearances during a seven-year stint, has been speculated as a potential next move.
