“I have recently asked the coach to not nominate me for the national team anymore because I would like to retire”, he wrote.
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He announced the news on his official Twitter account.
The 31-year-old star played 120 times for Germany, scoring 24 global goals during his 12-year career with the national team, but has made a decision to walk away following their loss to France in the semi-finals of Euro 2016.
Bastian Schweinsteiger has called time on his global career as speculation over his Manchester United future intensifies.
My thanks go out to the fans, the team, the DFB [German FA], and the coaches and staff around the German national team.
“In 120 global matches I could play for my country and experience moments that were indescribably handsome and successful”.
“Joachim Low knew how much 2016 has meant to me with the European Championship in France because I wanted to win this title”.
“It was not meant to be, I have to accept that”.
“The priority now is to make right and reasonable conclusion and to wish the team well for qualification for the 2018 World Cup”.
“By winning the World Cup in 2014 we achieved something historic and emotional that I will not be able to repeat in my career”. I hope that this bond will remain in one form or another.
“Finally, I just want to say to our fans: “it was an honour to have been able to play for you, many thanks for everything that I was able to experience with you”.
The 31-year-old made his debut for the national team in 2004 and has hung up his national-team boots having made 120 appearances, scoring 24 times in the process.
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As well as the 2014 World Cup victory, he was also part of the Germany squad which finished third at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, and which finished runner-up to Spain at Euro 2008.
