Official | Ilkay Gündogan announces retirement from international football

On social media, Gündogan said:

Dear football Germany,
After a few weeks of consideration, I have come to the conclusion that it is time to end my national team career. I look back with great pride on 82 international matches for my home country – a number I could never have dreamed of when I made my debut for the senior national team in 2011. My highlight was definitely the huge honour of being able to lead the team as captain at our home European Championships last summer! After all these years, we finally managed to make the nation proud again – I’m very happy that I was able to play a part in that. But even before the tournament, I felt a certain tiredness in my body and also in my head, which got me thinking. And the games at club and national level are not getting any less. I will definitely continue to be a fan of this national team and I really hope that we can continue the upward trend together – and then there is nothing to stop us from being one of the closest contenders for the title at the 2026 World Cup. We have a fantastic coach, a really strong team and a great team spirit. Thanks to all the fans, staff, coaches and teammates who have accompanied me on this journey.
It was an honor!
Thank you, Germany!

The 33-year-old played 82 times for the German national team, scoring 19. Gündogan made his debut in 2011 against Belgium in a qualifier for EURO 2012. At the tournament in Ukraine and Poland, the then-Dortmund midfielder would only sit on the bench. Injuries then kept him out of the 2014 World Cup as well as EURO 2016, but in Russia in 2018, the EUROs in 2020 as well as the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Gündogan would feature heavily.

However, Gündogan’s time with Germany has not always been positive as he received heavy backlash for being pictured alongside Mesut Özil with Turkish President Recep Erdoğan.

Made captain by Hansi Flick, his successor Julian Nagelsmann kept the 33-year-old as Germany’s captain meaning he was given the honour of leading them in a home EUROs this past summer. Gündogan featured in every game as Germany were knocked out at the quarter-finals stage by Spain.

For the current Barcelona midfielder, his club’s future is also up in the air, reports Sky Germany as the Blaugarana are forcing him out of the club. There is currently interest from Saudi Arabia and Qatar, while former club Manchester City are also interested in bringing him back to England.