Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker has announced his decision to retire from international football following Germany's World Cup triumph in Brazil.
The 29-year-old has decided to walk away from the global stage having earned 104 caps for Germany, who have also lost Philip Lahm and Miroslav Klose to retirement.
The defender, who got married last year and is a father, has opted to step down from international duty in order to focus on his family and club career at the Emirates.
Mertesacker reportedly told Suddeutsche Zeitung: "When your second baby wakes you up at 6am crying, the World Cup is as far away as the moon is from the earth."
The centre-back, who has scored four goals for Germany, has retired as a world champion following his nation's victory over Argentina in Brazil.
Written by
Danielle Joynson
Danielle Joynson
