Germany striker Mario Gómez retires from international football | OneFootball

Mario Gómez has announced his retirement from international football.

Gómez won 78 caps for the German national team, scoring 31 goals.

The striker made three substitute appearances at the 2018 World Cup and announced his retirement on his Facebook page.

“For me the World Cup in Russia was a huge dream come true even though the miserable group stage exit left all of us deeply disappointed. For my whole career I was allowed to play for the German national team but when I watched injured in 2014, I finally realised how much I missed the team and what an honour it is to play for such a team. It is by no means self-explanatory!

I really wanted to experience these moments and these emotions again. As a team and for myself. I gave everything for that! With Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup, I participated in two more major tournaments. I’m incredibly grateful, even if we didn’t reach expectations.

Unfortunately, you can’t always leave the pitch as a winner. My time in the team was not always easy or successful but it was still beautiful. I have met many people with whom I will remain very close. But now is the time to make room and give the many young and highly talented boys the opportunity to fulfil their dream, to prove themselves, to gain experience and achieve the very best with Germany.

The players who will step up now have so much quality! Like all Germans, I am now a big fan of this team.

Of course I will be ready to help if, for unlikely reasons, the coach needs me to help at the Euros in two years. Because my love for this team is unbroken.

But now is the time for those who, like me at the age of 21 in 2007, want just one thing – to conquer football.

I wish the team, the coaches, and the entire backroom staff only the best! I will enjoy spending time with my family during international breaks and keep my fingers crossed. Even if it doesn’t feel like it for many fans at the moment, this team will bring us a lot of joy again.

Your Mario.”