Antonio Rüdiger has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to a distinguished chapter of his career with the German national team.

The 33-year-old defender made 86 appearances for Germany after spending more than a decade representing the country at senior level.

Known for his physical strength, aggressive defending and passionate approach to the game, Rüdiger became an important figure in the national setup over the years.

His international journey began more than 10 years ago, and he went on to feature at several major tournaments, representing Germany on some of football’s biggest stages.

His experience and leadership at the back made him a regular option for successive national team coaches.

Rüdiger’s decision marks the conclusion of a long international career in which he earned recognition as one of Germany’s leading defenders of his generation.

Although his international career did not always follow a smooth path, he remained a committed member of the squad whenever selected.

His retirement also comes at a significant point in his club career, with the defender continuing to play at the highest level.

Having achieved considerable success in European football, Rüdiger leaves the German national team with a wealth of experience and 86 caps to his name.

Germany will now begin preparing for life without one of its most recognisable defensive figures. Rüdiger’s presence, personality and determination will be difficult to replace as the national team looks toward the next generation of defenders.

For Rüdiger, however, the focus will now shift entirely to club football as he closes the international chapter of his career.