Antonio Rüdiger puts an end to the DFB jersey

“Even though we didn’t win a big title at the last tournaments and we had to accept some painful defeats, this time was an extremely special chapter for me that will shape me forever,” explained the defensive player. “A special thank you goes to Jogi Löw, Hansi Flick and Julian Nagelsmann, who accompanied and influenced me on my journey with the DFB. But also to my sponsor in the U-national team, Horst Hrubesch.”

The DFB team starts the Nations League under new national coach Jürgen Klopp on September 24th in the Netherlands. Within ten days there will be games in Augsburg against Greece, in Munich against Serbia and away in Greece.

DFB debut more than twelve years ago

After record goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, Rüdiger is the second national player to end his DFB career after the World Cup. The Real Madrid defender has played a total of 86 times for the national team since 2014 and took part in three World Cups and two European Championships. He won his only title in 2017 with the young winning team at the Confederations Cup in Russia.

The often controversial professional made his DFB debut in an international friendly against Poland in May 2014 (0-0). However, he was not yet part of the following World Cup squad for Brazil. His tournament debut at the 2016 European Championships also failed. Rüdiger tore a cruciate ligament during training camp. At the 2018 World Cup, Rüdiger only played in the 2-1 win against Sweden; four years later, as a regular in Qatar, he was unable to prevent another early tournament exit.

For years, the Berlin native was a fixture in the German defense. However, due to an injury in autumn 2025, he lost his regular place with former national coach Julian Nagelsmann. Jonathan Tah and Nico Schlotterbeck formed the main defense in America – until Schlotterbeck injured his ankle in the second game against Ivory Coast.

Then Rüdiger was back, after he had previously accepted his role as a reservist without complaint and praised his competitors almost effusively. But even Rüdiger couldn’t avert the knockout in the second round against Paraguay (3:4 on penalties). He then expressly defended Nagelsmann for the great sporting disappointment.

Rüdiger’s role in the DFB jersey was often controversial, regardless of his sporting achievements. After his freak out in the 2025 Spanish Cup final, when he threw an object at the referee from the bench, he was also clearly warned by DFB sports director Rudi Völler.