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Mertesacker retires from international
football
The defender, who earned his 100th cap during
the World Cup, says the national team is "in
better shape than ever" heading into the future
By Joe Wright
Aug 15, 2014 18:12:00
Arsenal and Germany
defender Per Mertesacker
has announced his
retirement from
international football.
The 29-year-old surpassed
the 100-cap mark during his
country's triumphant World Cup campaign this
summer, 10 years after making his senior debut.
The towering centre-back says he is happy to bring
an end to his international career on his own terms
and insists the future of the Germany side has
never looked brighter.
"The main thing for me was that I wanted to be able
to decide when my international career would end
after ten years myself," he said.
"There is no reason to fear the future. Young
players will come through. Germany are in better
shape than ever before.
"I now want to win the Premier League title with
Arsenal and make an impact in the Champions
League."
Mertesacker made his senior Germany debut under
Jurgen Klinsmann in 2004, when he came on as a
substitute against Iraq in October.
The former Werder Bremen stopper was part of the
side which claimed third place at both the 2006 and
2010 World Cup finals and finished runners-up to
Spain at Euro 2008.
Mertesacker came on as a last-minute substitute in
the 1-0 final victory over Argentina at the Maracana
this summer, making a total of six appearances
during the tournament.
football
The defender, who earned his 100th cap during
the World Cup, says the national team is "in
better shape than ever" heading into the future
By Joe Wright
Aug 15, 2014 18:12:00
Arsenal and Germany
defender Per Mertesacker
has announced his
retirement from
international football.
The 29-year-old surpassed
the 100-cap mark during his
country's triumphant World Cup campaign this
summer, 10 years after making his senior debut.
The towering centre-back says he is happy to bring
an end to his international career on his own terms
and insists the future of the Germany side has
never looked brighter.
"The main thing for me was that I wanted to be able
to decide when my international career would end
after ten years myself," he said.
"There is no reason to fear the future. Young
players will come through. Germany are in better
shape than ever before.
"I now want to win the Premier League title with
Arsenal and make an impact in the Champions
League."
Mertesacker made his senior Germany debut under
Jurgen Klinsmann in 2004, when he came on as a
substitute against Iraq in October.
The former Werder Bremen stopper was part of the
side which claimed third place at both the 2006 and
2010 World Cup finals and finished runners-up to
Spain at Euro 2008.
Mertesacker came on as a last-minute substitute in
the 1-0 final victory over Argentina at the Maracana
this summer, making a total of six appearances
during the tournament.
