Football

Germany's Gundogan Retires from International Football After Euro 2024German captain Ilkay Gundogan has announced his retirement from international football after leading his country at Euro 2024. The 33-year-old midfielder made the decision after careful consideration and a successful tournament where Germany reached the quarter-finals."After a few weeks of reflection, I have come to the conclusion that it is time to end my national team career," Gundogan said in a statement released by the German Football Association (DFB). "I look back with great pride on 82 international matches for my home country - a number that I could never have dreamed of when I made my debut for the senior national team in 2011."Gundogan, who turns 34 in October, was a key figure in Germany's Euro 2024 campaign. He captained the team and played a pivotal role in their run to the quarter-finals, where they narrowly lost to eventual champions Spain after extra time."My highlight was clearly the huge honor of being able to lead the team as captain at our home European Championship last summer," said Gundogan, who currently plays for Barcelona.Gundogan made his international debut for Germany against Belgium in October 2011. He was part of the squad that won the 2014 World Cup, but missed the tournament due to a back injury. He was also ruled out of Euro 2016 due to a dislocated kneecap.Despite these setbacks, Gundogan has established himself as one of Germany's most respected and successful players. He has won the Premier League title with Manchester City and the Bundesliga title with Borussia Dortmund.Gundogan's retirement marks the end of an era for Germany. He was one of the last remaining players from the team that won the World Cup in 2014. His experience and leadership will be missed by the national team.

Olivier Giroud, France's all-time leading goalscorer, has bid farewell to international football after a remarkable career spanning 13 years. The 37-year-old striker announced his retirement on Monday, leaving behind a legacy of 57 goals in 137 appearances for Les Bleus.Giroud's journey with the French national team began in 2011, and he quickly established himself as a reliable goalscorer. He netted his first international goal in a friendly against Germany and went on to become the team's all-time top scorer, surpassing Thierry Henry's record of 51 goals at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.Over the course of his international career, Giroud played a pivotal role in France's success. He was part of the squad that won the World Cup in 2018 and was also a runner-up in the 2016 European Championship and the 2022 World Cup.Giroud's international retirement marks the end of an era for French football. He was a beloved figure among fans and teammates alike, known for his unwavering determination and ability to score crucial goals. His legacy will undoubtedly inspire future generations of French footballers.

Thomas Müller, the iconic German striker, has announced his retirement from international football after a remarkable 14-year career with the national team. The 35-year-old forward, who has been a key figure in Germany's success over the years, will bid farewell after the conclusion of Euro 2024.Müller's decision comes after Germany's disappointing quarter-final exit at Euro 2024, where they were defeated 2-1 by Spain. The striker, who has played 131 times for his country and scored 45 goals, hinted after the game that he had played his last match for Germany.In a video statement, Müller expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to represent his country and the memories he has made along the way. "After 131 national team games and 45 goals, I am saying goodbye," he said. "It has been an incredible journey, filled with great victories and bitter defeats."Müller's international career has been marked by both individual and team success. He won the Golden Boot at the 2010 World Cup in his debut year with the national team, scoring five goals at the tournament in South Africa. He also played a pivotal role in Germany's 2014 World Cup triumph, scoring the opening goal in their famous 7-1 victory over Brazil in the semi-finals.Müller's unique style of play, characterized by his unorthodox movement and intuitive passing, has made him a fan favorite both in Germany and around the world. He has been praised for his ability to create chances for his teammates and score goals from seemingly impossible angles.Following Müller's announcement, tributes have poured in from across the football world. National team coach Julian Nagelsmann lauded his qualities as a player, adding that the German team would "miss him very much." Germany national team director Rudi Voeller described Müller as "unorthodox, intuitive, unpredictable," and said that his value to German football "cannot be overestimated."While Müller will no longer represent Germany on the international stage, he will continue to play for his club Bayern Munich, where he is under contract until 2025. He remains one of the most decorated players in German football history, having won numerous Bundesliga titles, DFB-Pokals, and the UEFA Champions League.

Cristiano Ronaldo's international future remains uncertain following Portugal's disappointing exit from the EURO Cup 2024. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has yet to make a decision on whether he will continue playing for his country after their quarterfinal loss to France.Ronaldo, 39, has been a mainstay in the Portuguese national team for over two decades, making his debut in 2003. He has captained the team since 2008 and has led them to victory in the 2016 European Championship and the 2019 UEFA Nations League.However, Ronaldo's recent performances for Portugal have been underwhelming. He failed to score a single goal in the EURO 2024 tournament, despite playing all five matches. His only contribution was an assist in the group stage.After the loss to France, Ronaldo was visibly disappointed and hinted that he might consider retiring from international football. "I'm not sure what the future holds," he said. "I need to take some time to think about it."Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez said that no decision has been made yet regarding Ronaldo's future with the team. "Everything is too raw right now," Martinez said. "We're still hurting from the defeat. There's no individual decision at this point."Despite Ronaldo's struggles in recent months, he remains a revered figure in Portuguese football. He is the country's all-time leading scorer with 118 goals in 196 appearances.If Ronaldo does decide to retire from international football, it will mark the end of an era for Portugal. He has been the face of the team for so long and has played a pivotal role in their success.However, the team has a number of talented young players who are ready to step up and take on the mantle. Joao Felix, Bernardo Silva, and Diogo Jota are all capable of leading Portugal to future glory.

Cristiano Ronaldo's future with the Portugal national team has become a subject of speculation following the team's disappointing exit from Euro 2024 at the quarter-final stage. Despite a prolific season with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, Ronaldo struggled to make an impact at the tournament, failing to score or assist in Portugal's four matches.However, according to a report in Relevo, Ronaldo is determined to continue his international career and has set his sights on the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The report claims that Ronaldo wants to become the first player in history to appear and score in six editions of the flagship competition.Ronaldo's desire to continue playing for Portugal stems from his belief that he can still contribute to the team's success. Despite his advancing age, Ronaldo remains one of the most prolific goalscorers in the world, having scored over 800 goals for club and country.However, Ronaldo's international future remains uncertain. After Portugal's quarter-final defeat to France, Ronaldo admitted that Euro 2024 could be his last European Championship. He said, "These are inexplicable moments. I had the chance to put the national team ahead and I didn't manage it."Despite Ronaldo's comments, Portugal manager Fernando Santos has expressed his desire to keep Ronaldo in the team. Santos said, "Cristiano Ronaldo is still a very important player for us. He is a leader and a role model for the younger players."Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to continue playing for Portugal lies with Ronaldo. If he decides to retire from international football, it will mark the end of an era for Portugal. Ronaldo has been a key figure in the team's success over the past two decades, helping them win the European Championship in 2016 and the UEFA Nations League in 2019.