End of an era? Antonio Rüdiger is on the verge of a major Germany decision
Antonio Rüdiger appears to be approaching one of the biggest decisions of his career.
Details: According to Marca, the Real Madrid centre-back is on the verge of retiring from international duty with Germany. The report suggests that the 33-year-old defender is seriously considering bringing his long spell with Die Mannschaft to an end.
Rüdiger has been part of the German national-team setup for more than a decade and has represented his country at several major tournaments. At the 2026 World Cup, however, his role changed significantly: Jonathan Tah and Nico Schlotterbeck were preferred in central defence for much of the tournament, while the experienced Madrid defender had to accept a reduced role.
Germany's World Cup campaign ended in the round of 32 against Paraguay, with Rüdiger starting that match. No official announcement regarding his international future has yet been made by the player or the German Football Association, so for now the situation remains a reported possibility rather than a confirmed retirement.
It is worth noting that Rüdiger currently has 86 senior appearances and three goals for Germany. At club level, he remains a Real Madrid player after extending his contract with the Spanish giants until the summer of 2027.
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Steven Perez
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