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International football lost some of its biggest stars in the fallout from the 2024 European Championships
The 2024 European Championship saw an exhilarating Luis de la Fuente-led Spain side crowned as deserved champions after winning all their matches on the way to a deserved title.
Beyond a near-perfect showing from La Roja, the tournament will also be remembered as the swansong of several of the game's biggest names.
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While some players only decided to end their international careers, others have called time on their playing days as a whole after representing their countries at Euro 2024.
Here are the top five players who retired from international football after Euro 2024:
Jesus Navas (Spain)
Spanish veteran Jesus Navas boasts incredible achievements with Spain and following La Roja’s Euro 2024 triumph, the Sevilla star finally closed the curtains on his international football career.
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The 38-year-old right-back made just three appearances in his last international competition for La Roja but showcased his class on the pitch whenever called upon by coach Luis de la Fuente, especially in the semifinal against France when he deputised for the suspended Dani Carvajal and managed to keep Kylian Mbappe quiet.
Since his debut for Spain in 2009, Navas enjoyed an illustrious international career, scoring five goals in 56 caps. He participated in one World Cup (2010) and two European Championships (2012 and 2024), winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup, 2012 UEFA European Championship, 2023 UEFA Nations League, and 2024 UEFA European Championship.
Xherdan Shaqiri (Switzerland)
Swiss attacking midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri retired following Switzerland’s quarterfinal exit from Euro 2024, and will go down as one of the most consistent performers for his country in international football history.
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The 32-year-old made just two appearances in his last international competition, but still managed to score a spectacular goal against Scotland during the group stages. The diminutive forward has made a habit of showing up on the big stage for Switzerland with important goals and has scored at least one goal in the last three World Cups and European Championships.
Shaqiri made his debut for Switzerland in 2010 and has gone on to score an impressive 32 goals in 125 caps, making him the second-most-capped player and fourth-highest all-time goal scorer in the nation’s history.
He played in four World Cups (2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022) and three European Championships (2016, 2021, and 2024), renowned for his long-range strikes and creative prowess.
Thomas Muller (Germany)
German forward Thomas Muller, one of the most underrated players of his generation, retired from international football following Germany’s quarterfinal exit from Euro 2024. The 34-year-old was primarily used as a substitute in a youthful German side, making two appearances off the bench and recording an assist.
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The Bayern Munich star debuted for Germany in 2010, Muller scored 45 goals in 131 caps, making him the third-most-capped player in the nation’s history.
He participated in four World Cups (2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022) and four European Championships (2012, 2016, 2021, and 2024), winning the 2014 World Cup and finishing as the joint top goal scorer of the tournament.
Olivier Giroud (France)
French forward Olivier Giroud, one of the most underrated strikers of his generation, retired following France’s semifinal exit from Euro 2024 at the hands of eventual winners Spain. The 37-year-old was primarily used as a substitute during the tournament, making four appearances off the bench.
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Giroud scored an astounding 57 goals in 137 caps and retires as France’s all-time top scorer. He won the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2021 UEFA Nations League with France and participated in three World Cups (2014, 2018, and 2022) and four European Championships (2012, 2016, 2021, and 2024).
Toni Kroos (Germany)
German midfield maestro Toni Kroos will go down as arguably one of the greatest midfielders in football history, and retired after Germany were knocked out of Euro 2024 at the quarterfinal stage by Spain. The 34-year-old started in all of Germany’s five matches on home soil, playing an instrumental role in their run to the last eight.
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Kroos has been a mainstay for more than a decade, after starting his national team career in 2010. The midfielder scored 17 goals in 114 caps, making him the ninth-most-capped player in the nation’s history. He participated in three World Cups (2010, 2014, and 2018) and four European Championships (2012, 2016, 2021, and 2024), and was part of the 2014 World Cup-winning squad.
Kroos’ retirement takes on a special significance as the midfielder not only retires from international football but also calls time on his career as a whole after also ending his time with Real Madrid, winning the 2024 Champions League in his last match with the club.
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