Thomas Müller described Germany’s World Cup campaign in Qatar as “an absolute disaster”, hinting heavily at the national team’s retirement in the process.
While Hansi Flick’s side were successful in their final match by beating Costa Rica 4–2, Japan’s surprise 2–1 victory over Spain resulted in another World Cup group stage elimination.
Until 2018 in Russia, Germany did not miss the opportunity to pass the group stage of the World Cup since 1954, but now they have dropped out of the last two tournaments ahead of schedule.
For Muller, part of the team that won 2014 in Brazil, this could now be his last appearance on the international stage as he admitted he was unsure about his next steps.
“This is an absolute disaster! I don’t know what’s going to happen next,” he told ARD after the match.
“If this was my last game, then I would like to say a few words to the German football fans.”
He continued: “It was a great pleasure, dear people. We have experienced wonderful moments. I tried to keep my heart on the field in every game.
“I always fulfilled my obligations, and sometimes there were tears of joy from my actions, sometimes the audience had pain on their faces.
“Even if I didn’t succeed in all the actions, I did it with love. I’ll have to take care of the rest.”
The 33-year-old has earned 121 caps for Germany, the fourth all-time for his country with 44 goals, placing him seventh in the top scorers table.
2 – Germany have failed to make it past the group stage in each of the last two World Cups after having made it through the first round in each of the previous 16 tournaments since 1954. AufWiedersehen. #CRCGER #Soccer World Cup pic.twitter.com/9yQiJD71zg
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) December 1, 2022