Top five players who retired from international football in 2024

Apart from jubilations, the Euro 2024 was also the last international appearance of these stars.

The exhilarating Euro 2024 saw Luis de la Fuente’s Spain crowned the deserved champions after an exciting grand finale. The tournament in Germany this summer proved to be an entertaining spectacle for worldwide football fans owing to its high-octane entertainment, underdog stories and unbelievable moments.

In a coveted competition represented by sporting icons and upcoming talents, it also became a platform for several stars of the game to announce their retirements after long and illustrious international football careers.

With that said, here are the top five players who have retired from international football after Euro 2024:

5. Jesus Navas (Spain)

Unlike the rest on the list, Jesus Navas doesn’t pop up as a big name, but his incredible achievements with Spain indeed make him the best of the lot. After Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph, Navas finally closed the curtains on his international football career.

The 38-year-old right-back managed to make just three appearances in his last international competition for La Roja but showcased his class on the pitch whenever he was called upon by coach Luis de la Fuente.

Ever since his debut for Spain in 2009, Navas enjoyed an illustrious international career, scoring five goals in 56 caps. During this period, Navas participated in one World Cup (2010) and two European Championships (2012 and 2024).

Even with his limited appearances for the national team, Jesus Navas managed to win it all in international football with Spain: 2010 FIFA World Cup, 2012 UEFA European Championships, 2023 UEFA Nations League & 2024 UEFA European Championships.

Also read: Xherdan Shaqiri: Switzerland career in numbers

4. Xherdan Shaqiri (Switzerland)

One of the most technically gifted playmakers of his generation has been the Swiss attacking midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri, who closed the curtains on his international football career following Switzerland’s quarterfinal round exit from Euro 2024, where they suffered a heartbreaking 1-1 (5-3) penalty shootout defeat to eventual finalists England.

The 32-year-old attacking midfielder managed to make just two appearances in his last international competition for Switzerland, wherein, despite his limited game time, he scored an absolute belter against Scotland during the group stages.

Ever since his debut for Switzerland in 2010, Shaqiri enjoyed a great international career, scoring an impressive 32 goals in 125 caps, making him the second-most-capped player as well as the fourth-highest all-time goal scorer in the nation’s history.

Having played in four World Cups (2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022) and three European Championships (2016, 2021 and 2024) throughout his career, Xherdan Shaqiri was renowned for his stellar long-range strikes, ability to create something special out of absolutely nothing and incredible hattricks.

Also read: Thomas Muller: Germany career in numbers

3. Thomas Muller (Germany)

One of the most underrated players of his generation has been the German forward Thomas Muller, who closed the curtains on his international football career following Germany’s quarterfinal round exit from Euro 2024, where they suffered a soul-crushing 2-1 defeat to eventual champions Spain.

The 34-year-old forward was primarily used as a substitute in his last international competition for Germany, making just two appearances off the bench, wherein he also managed to record an assist.

Ever since his debut for Germany in 2010, Muller enjoyed an incredible international career, scoring an amazing 45 goals in 131 caps, making him the third-most-capped player in the nation’s history.

During this period, Muller played in four World Cups (2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022) and four European Championships (2012, 2016, 2021, and 2024). He won the coveted 2014 World Cup with Germany, where they toppled Argentina 1-0 in the final.

In that tournament, Thomas Muller finished as the joint top goal scorer with five goals and also recorded an additional three assists in what proved to be an outstanding campaign.

Also read: Olivier Giroud: France career in numbers

2. Olivier Giroud (France)

One of the most underrated strikers of his generation has been the French forward Olivier Giroud, who closed the curtains on his international football career following France’s semifinal round exit from Euro 2024, where they suffered a narrow 2-1 loss to eventual champions Spain.

The 37-year-old striker was primarily used as a substitute in his last international competition for France, making a total of four appearances off the bench with no goal contributions to his name.

Ever since his debut for France in 2011, Giroud enjoyed an illustrious international career, scoring an astounding 57 goals in 137 caps, making him France’s all-time top scorer in the process. During this successful period, Giroud also managed to win several international trophies with France: the 2018 FIFA World Cup & 2021 UEFA Nations League.

Having participated in three World Cups (2014, 2018 and 2022) and four European Championships throughout his career (2012, 2016, 2021 and 2024), Olivier Giroud proved to be a valuable asset for his nation, delivering the goods time and again on the grandest of stages.

1. Toni Kroos (Germany)

Arguably one of the greatest midfielders in all of football history has been the German midfield maestro Toni Kroos, who closed the curtains on his illustrious playing career following Germany’s quarterfinal round exit from Euro 2024.

The 34-year-old midfielder started in all of Germany’s five matches during his last international competition, playing an instrumental role in his nation’s quarterfinal run.

Ever since his debut for Die Mannschaft in 2010, Kroos enjoyed a stellar international career, scoring 17 goals in 114 caps, making him the ninth-most-capped player in the nation’s history.

Also read: Toni Kroos: Full career in numbers

During this period, Kroos participated in three World Cups (2010, 2014 and 2018) and four European Championships (2012, 2016, 2021 and 2024). Just like Thomas Muller, he was also a part of the 2014 World Cup-winning Germany squad.

Throughout his career, Toni Kroos possessed an incredible skillset of exceptional vision, passing and control of the game that made him an all-time icon of this beautiful sport.

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