The Arsenal fullback, who helped Germany to its fourth World Cup victory last month, made his decision known in interviews with ZDF television and the daily Süddeutsche Zeitung.
“For me, after 10 years of being part of the national team, it’s about being able to decide for myself when to close this chapter,” the 29-year-old said.
Mertesacker called July’s World Cup victory a “golden ending” to his tenure on the national squad, adding that he wanted to focus his efforts on league matches. His sights, he told the Süddeutsche, are now set on winning titles with Arsenal in the British Premier League, “perhaps even in the Champions League.”
Rock solid
At 1.98m tall, the towering defender has been an institution in the German defense for the past decade, with 104 international appearances and four goals under his belt.
He played in six of the seven matches at this summer’s World Cup, having lost his all but permanent place at center back when coach Löw opted for Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels during the semi-final drubbing of hosts Brazil.
Löw started with the same pair in the final as well, deciding to sub-in Mertesacker before the end of the 1-0 triumph against Argentina.
Following striker Miroslav Klose and captain Philipp Lahm, Mertesacker is now the third player to call it quits internationally following Germany’s victory in Brazil.
Source: DW