International football is back after two months, and this time, there are quite a few familiar faces that will not be appearing for duty in the first FIFA window of the 2024/25 season. Today, we’re taking a look at the various legends who retired from international football over the summer.
By Zach Lowy
Argentina
The sole non-UEFA inclusion on the list, Argentina are the reigning world and South American champions and managed to claim a second-straight Copa América title this summer after edging Colombia 1-0 by the thinnest of margins. When Lionel Messi hobbled off injured, Ángel Di María stepped up and delivered to lead the Albiceleste past the finish line in his 145th and final appearance. It is no coincidence that Argentina lost three finals in a row when Di María was unfit and won three finals in a row when he was available – he will go down as one of the greatest big-game performers of this century.
Belgium
Whilst Di María was able to ride off into the sunset with the Copa América 2024, Jan Vertonghen suffered the misfortune of scoring an 85th-minute own goal in a UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match vs. France, the sole goal of the match. It was an unbefitting end for the ex Tottenham defender, whose 157 appearances for Belgium put him 25 ahead of second-placed Axel Witsel. Having missed out on five straight major tournaments in the previous decade, Vertonghen ushered in a period of success for Les Diables Rouges that saw them finish third in the 2018 World Cup and reach the Euro quarterfinals twice, and he leaves a major void in central defence for Domenico Tedesco’s side.
Croatia
There has been a changing of the guard at the Croatian national team following their group stage exit at Euro 2024. Marcelo Brozović has called it quits after 99 appearances, whilst Domagoj Vida has hung up his boots with 105 caps. In contrast to Vida, whose last competitive appearance came in October, Brozović has been one of the first names on the team sheet and formed a stellar trio in midfield alongside Luka Modrić and Mateo Kovačić. Both players have proven indispensable in a golden generation that has seen the Vatreni finish second and third in each of the last two World Cups.
Denmark
Three years after their magical run to the semifinals, Denmark struggled to make their mark on Euro 2024, scoring just two goals and exiting in the Round of 16 vs. Germany. It has provoked a sea change with Kasper Hjulmand stepping down after four years at the helm, whilst Thomas Delaney and Simon Kjær have retired. Kjær has been a reliable servant at the back with 132 appearances, second only to Christian Eriksen (134), whilst Delaney has proven a tireless workhorse in the center of the pitch, amassing 81 appearances and competing in each of the Danes’ last four major tournaments.
France
It has been nothing short of a magical career for Olivier Giroud, who led Montpellier to their first and only Ligue 1 title before proceeding to claim three FA Cups with Arsenal and a Champions League with Chelsea as well as Milan’s first Scudetto in a decade. Giroud reached three major finals with France, and whilst he was unable to find the back of the net in their 2018 World Cup, he nevertheless played a vital role with his hold-up play and defensive output. No player has scored more goals (57) for France, whilst only Lilian Thuram (142) and Hugo Lloris (145) – his new teammate at LAFC – have suited up more times for Les Bleus than Giroud (137).
Germany
Out of Germany’s seven most-capped players of all time, three of them retired from international football this summer. Thomas Müller (3rd – 131), Manuel Neuer (5th – 124), and Toni Kroos (7th – 114) have called it quits following an epic chapter that saw them lead Germany to their first World Cup in 24 years, whilst captain İlkay Gündoğan has also retired after amassing 82 caps. With the exception of Müller, all three played started roles on home soil in the previous Euros, and each of them have left massive shoes to fill for their successors.
Netherlands
From winning four league titles with boyhood club Ajax, to returning and leading them to another three, to reaching the World Cup semifinals and playing under his father for the Netherlands, to guiding Girona to Champions League football, Daley Blind has done it all at 34 years of age. He has aged like fine wine and continued to exude calm and confidence as a versatile ball-playing defender, and he has walked away from international football after 105 caps (fifth overall) for the Oranje.
Poland
It is a new era for the Polish national team following the retirements of Wojciech Szczęsny and Kamil Grosicki. A hard-working winger who’s capable of creating magic at a moment’s notice, Grosicki has been a consistent fixture in the Polish national team with 94 appearances (10th). As for Szczęsny, he has not only filled Gianluigi Buffon’s shoes for Juventus, but he has also been a reliable pair of hands between the sticks for the Polish national team (84) and has proven an invincible fortress in high-stakes situations.
Portugal
Like Kroos and Szczęsny, Pepe hasn’t just retired from international football, but club football as well. The Brazil-born defender has solidified his status as a legendary defender for Real Madrid and Porto as well as a colossus at the back for the Portuguese national team, excelling in their 2016 Euros triumph. He has called it quits after 23 years in the game, and with 141 caps, only Cristiano Ronaldo (212) and João Moutinho (146) have played more times for Portugal.
Serbia
At 35 years of age, Dušan Tadić has been a source of inspiration and creativity for club and country. He has represented Serbia at the Olympics and two World Cups and continued to deliver at the attacking midfielder position, and after participating in his first-ever Euros, he has retired as the all-time appearance maker for Serbia (111).
Spain
It’s out with the old and in with the new at La Roja: whilst Nacho (29) and Joselu (13) have both retired from international football following a season that saw them win the Champions League and the Euros, Jesús Navas (56) has retired after a stellar career that saw him win two Euros and a World Cup, and become the oldest player to feature for Spain in a major tournament.
Switzerland
Last but not least, Switzerland have said goodbye to two legends of the game. Yann Sommer (94) has proven indispensable between the sticks since making his debut in 2008, whilst Xherdan Shaqiri leaves behind an array of mind-boggling goals and sensational performances in attack. Only Granit Xhaka (130) has racked up more caps than Shaqiri (125), and only three players have scored more goals than him (32).
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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