After 12 years of goals, Thomas Muller announced his retirement from international football following Germany's shocking World Cup group stage exit.
Thomas Muller and his Germany teammates were in tears as they crashed out of Qatar 2022, as the Bayern Munich forward announced his retirement from international football.
Hansi Flick's team defeated Costa Rica 4-2, with two goals from substitute Kai Havertz. Costa Rica is also out of the tournament after finishing last in Group E. The Germans were eliminated on goal difference despite their victory.
The four-time champions have failed to advance to the knockout stages for the second time in a row. Germany took the lead in the first half thanks to Serge Gnabry, but Costa Rica took the lead thanks to goals from Yeltsin Tejeda and a Manuel Neuer own goal before Havertz's double and a Niclas Fullkrug effort restored order.
However, it was not enough to save Germany's World Cup hopes as Japan held on for a stunning 2-1 comeback victory over Spain, sending both teams through at the expense of Flick's team, who were among the pre-competition favourites.It also marks the end of one of Germany's most illustrious international careers, with veteran forward Muller appearing to confirm after the game that his time on that stage had come to an end. It came eight years after he was a key figure in his country's World Cup victory in Brazil.
"We have had many great moments together," Muller said in his post-match interview. Thank you very much." "If that was my final game for Germany, a few words to the German fans: It was a tremendous pleasure," he added."Thank you kindly. On the field, I always tried to show emotion. There were tears of joy and pain at times. I did it out of love. Now I have to think about everything else."
Muller scored 44 goals in 121 international appearances, adding to his stellar club career with Bayern Munich. The forward has 290 goals in his senior career and is on pace to surpass the 300-goal mark this season.The forward is also one of the most prolific goal scorers in World Cup history, with ten goals - five in 2010 and another five in 2014 - but did not find the net in either of Germany's group stage exits in 2018 or 2022.
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