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Cape Town - German defender Per Mertesacker has ended his international career at the age of 29. The
Arsenal centre-back, who won the World Cup in his final game with
Germany in Brazil, won 104 caps and scored four goals.
Mersacker becomes the third German to exit the World Cup winning team following in the footsteps of captain Philipp Lahm and the World Cup’s all-time record goalscorer Miroslav Klose.
According to the Telegraph, Mertesacker has chosen to focus his time on club football and insists he is still hungry for success.
“Winning the World Cup was the best possible end to 10 years in the national team. I’ve moved aside to let younger players take over", he said.
“I’m still hungry for more titles, but I want to win them with Arsenal – to win the league, perhaps have a go at the Champions League.
"I’m vice-captain at Arsenal and I know that I have more responsibilities now. I want to achieve big things with the club. Having more time off for your legs and your head is not a bad thing in that respect – especially at my old age.”
Mersacker becomes the third German to exit the World Cup winning team following in the footsteps of captain Philipp Lahm and the World Cup’s all-time record goalscorer Miroslav Klose.
According to the Telegraph, Mertesacker has chosen to focus his time on club football and insists he is still hungry for success.
“Winning the World Cup was the best possible end to 10 years in the national team. I’ve moved aside to let younger players take over", he said.
“I’m still hungry for more titles, but I want to win them with Arsenal – to win the league, perhaps have a go at the Champions League.
"I’m vice-captain at Arsenal and I know that I have more responsibilities now. I want to achieve big things with the club. Having more time off for your legs and your head is not a bad thing in that respect – especially at my old age.”
