Bayern Munich attacker Thomas Muller has indicated that he might retire from international football after Germany crashed out of the FIFA World Cup 2022 group stage. Muller has played four World Cups and led Germany to success in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Die Mannschaft began their tournament with a major upset after they lost 2-1 to Japan despite leading in the first half. Germany were then squared off with Spain in their second match and it took a late goal from Niclas Fullkrug to take a point from that match and momentarily keep them alive in the competition.
The 2014 World Cup winners were trailing against Costa Rica at 2-1 for 12 minutes but a brace of goals from second half substitute as well as another late strike from Fullkrug helped them turn things around and post a commanding 4-2 win. However, it wasn’t enough as in the other group stage fixture, Japan pulled off yet another sensational heist and defeated Spain 2-1 to progress to the last 16 as the winners of Group E.
As a result, Germany finished third in the group and although they were level on four points with Spain, they had a much inferior goal difference and were duly knocked out of the competition.
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33-year-old Muller took part in all three group stage fixtures for Germany at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. A senior member in the side, he has however hinted that he may consider international retirement after the latest FIFA World Cup exit.
“If this was my last game, it was a huge pleasure. I’ve done it with love. We experienced incredible moments together. In every game, I tried to leave my heart on the pitch,”
he told reporters in the aftermath of the win over Costa Rica.
Muller has had a phenomenal international career since making his debut for Germany in 2010. He was elected as the Young Player of the Tournament and also won the Golden Boot in his very first FIFA World Cup campaign in 2010 in South Africa.
He also helped his side go all the way and lift the trophy for the fourth time in their history in Brazil in 2014. Muller has 10 World Cup goals to his name in total.
