Top players who retired from football after Euro 2024
Some of the big names in world football have announced their retirement following the conclusion of the European Championships in Germany. Despite the playing age increasing significantly over the years, the cascade of hanging up boots has already begun this summer.
In this article, we will take a look at some of the top players who retired from football after Euro 2024.
Toni Kroos (Germany)
The German will go down as one of the best midfielders of all time after winning everything with Real Madrid and the German national side over the years. Toni Kroos initially retired from the international side in 2021 but made a U-turn to return for the European Championships this summer.
Kroos who was instrumental in Germany’s 2014 World Cup success in Brazil announced he will retire from professional football following the European Championships with Germany. The veteran midfielder has amassed 114 appearances with 17 goals and 21 assists since making his debut in 2010 with Die Nationalmannschaft.
Thomas Müller (Germany)
The German legend has announced his retirement from international football following the conclusion of Euro 2024. Müller’s journey with the international side began in 2010 and he would go on to make the third most appearances for the national team with 131 caps and 45 goals.
The Bayern Munich attacker has brought the curtain down on his illustrious international career and will be regarded as one of Germany’s most decorated players in the modern era. The 34-year-old won the Golden Boot and Young Player Award during the 2010 World Cup.
Olivier Giroud (France)
France’s leading goalscorer, Olivier Giroud, has confirmed the end of his international career that saw him score 57 goals in 137 matches for Les Blues. The former Arsenal and Chelsea striker will continue his club career after the Frenchman recently signed for MLS side Los Angeles FC.
During his international career, Giroud won the 2018 World Cup and was also a World Cup and European Championship runner-up. He broke Thierry Henry’s record of 51 goals in the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar against Argentina. The striker made his international debut for France in 2011 and played his last major international tournament in Germany this summer.
Xherdan Shaqiri (Switzerland)
Former Liverpool forward Xherdan Shaqiri has announced his retirement following Switzerland’s sensational run in the European Championships this summer. He brings down the curtain to a formidable 14-year career with the Switzerland national team. After making his debut in March 2020, Shaqiri represented his nation at four World Cups and three European Champions.
Shaqiri has amassed 125 caps which is only second to his long-time teammate Granit Xhaka. During his international career, Shaqiri has bagged 32 goals and is the only player to score in the last three World Cups and Euros.
Jan Vertonghen (Belgium)
Belgium’s most-capped player Jan Vertonghen announced his retirement from international football following Belgium’s disappointing run in the European Championship in Germany. The 37-year-old defender has ended his Belgium career as the nation’s most-capped player with 157 appearances.
Vertonghen was a part of the side that crashed out of Euro 2024 after a 1-0 loss to France in their round-of-16 tie. The veteran was instrumental in leading his nation to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and the quarter-finals in Euro 2020. He has been a part of the ‘Golden Generation’ that included the likes of Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku and Kevin de Bruyne.
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