>
‘As long as I’m a professional, I’ll always be available for the national team’: Thomas Muller makes U-turn on Germany retirement as veteran admits he was ‘excited’ after his second successive group stage exit from the world Cup.
- Thomas Muller has decided not to retire from international service, despite suggestions.
- The Bayern Munich striker will remain at Germany’s disposal for upcoming matches
- Muller had previously suggested that he would retire after the surprise World Cup exit.
Thomas Muller has made a dramatic turn in withdrawing from Germany after previously hinting that he had played his last game for his country after they were knocked out of the 2022 World Cup in the group stage.
The Bayern Munich striker has decided to remain available for selection in case he is called up for upcoming international matches or tournaments.
The 33-year-old scored 44 goals in 121 appearances and played a pivotal role in his country’s World Cup victory in 2014.
Thomas Muller has taken a dramatic turn in withdrawing from Germany after hinting it was the end
It appeared to be the end of Muller in Germany’s jersey after their 4-2 loss to Costa Rica saw them fall in the group stage of a second successive World Cup.
But now he has deleted his own comments after that defeat by insisting that he will continue to play for Germany until he retires from football altogether.
Muller was instrumental in Germany’s 2014 World Cup triumph
“I was emotional after the game, it was a sad moment. I thought about it and exchanged ideas with Hansi Flick’, Muller said at a press conference.
“As long as I am a professional footballer, I will always be available for the national team.
It is up to the coach to decide when, if and how. The goal is to be successful again. Hansi has many options in attack.
“I’m very relaxed, but I’ll be there when the coach needs me.”
It is surprising that the veteran forward would suggest that he had played his last game for Germany in Qatar.
Muller said after the loss to Costa Rica: ‘We’ve had a lot of great moments together. Thanks for everything.’
He added: “If that was my last game for Germany, a word to the German fans: it was a tremendous pleasure.
‘Many thanks. I always tried to show heart on the pitch. Sometimes there were tears of joy, sometimes pain. I did it with love. I need to think about everything else now.
Muller hinted that he would retire after their 4-2 loss to Costa Rica at the 2022 World Cup.
Coach Hans Flick also admitted that Germany must now focus on the next generation of young players after their exit from the World Cup.
“I think for the future of German football we need to do things differently in training,” said Flick, who took over as coach after last year’s Euro Cup.
“For years we have been talking about new goalkeepers and full-backs, but Germany always knew how to defend well. We need the basics.
“For the future, for the next 10 years, it’s very important to focus on the new generation of players.”