In his farewell statement, Ilkay Gündogan also touches on the big goal that he will no longer lead the national football team as captain after careful consideration. “I really hope that we can continue the upward trend together – and then there is nothing to stop us from being one of the closest title contenders at the 2026 World Cup. We have a fantastic coach, a really strong team and a great team spirit.” The team’s perspective is right – but no longer that of their leader.
At least that is what emerges from the eleven sentences with which a grateful Gündogan somewhat surprisingly ended his DFB career; after 13 years, 82 international matches, 19 goals. And after a national team career with a lot of bad luck with injuries, which remains titleless and unfinished after the bitter quarter-final exit against Spain at the home European Championship. “It was an honour!” said the 33-year-old on his social media channels.
Joshua Kimmich has led the national team as captain several times. – © Christian Charisius/dpa
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Gündogan, who has played a lot of football, did not hide the main reason for his withdrawal. Although he said that the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico with a revitalized national team was very appealing, the journey simply seemed too far and too difficult for him. Even before the European Championships, “I felt a certain tiredness in my body, but also in my head.” And after the tournament, this “made him think.”
Nagelsmann thanks Gündogan and opens a back door
Manuel Neuer (38) has not yet announced a national team decision after the European Championship exit against Spain. – © Tom Weller/dpa
The result is now known. And it has a variety of effects on the DFB team and national coach Julian Nagelsmann. First Toni Kroos (34), then Thomas Müller (34), now Gündogan – and soon also the 38-year-old team senior Manuel Neuer? The over-30s group will shrink significantly by the start of the Nations League in early September. The very experienced, but also old European Championship squad will receive the rejuvenation that Nagelsmann had already declared necessary during the tournament.
Gündogan’s departure was not part of Nagelsmann’s new project “World Champion 2026”. The national coach will announce the first post-European Championship squad for the international matches against Hungary on September 7 in Düsseldorf and three days later in Amsterdam against arch-rivals Netherlands next week.
“Ilkay was an outstanding captain with whom I would have liked to continue working,” said the 37-year-old. And Nagelsmann even added: “The door to the national team is never completely closed.” Take Kroos, whom Nagelsmann was able to persuade to make a comeback in the national jersey for the home European Championship in 2021 after his DFB resignation.
There was also thanks from his teammates. “As captain, you led us through our home European Championship. Into the quarter-finals and back into the hearts of the fans,” said one post on X.
Waiting for the Neuer decision
A World Cup back door could also be a solution for Neuer. Germany’s record goalkeeper has so far avoided making a clear statement regarding the DFB team. The 124-time national player is known for his ambition. DFB sports director Rudi Völler has just announced a timely decision “regarding Manuel”. The “first decision on how things will proceed” lies with the 2014 World Cup winner goalkeeper, said Völler. Neuer had also made telling references to the Kroos model in his previous statements.
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One thing is clear: the hierarchy, the structure and also the axis of the national team on the pitch will change dramatically. Nagelsmann needs new solutions, including the captaincy question. Bayern professional Joshua Kimmich (29), already Gündogan’s deputy, would be an obvious successor. Defence chief Antoni Rüdiger (31) would also be conceivable.
Captain wanted, conversion of the axle with large
Neuer, Kroos and Gündogan may be out of the European Championship axis when the team sets off for the next big tournament in two years. Müller only played a supporting role at the European Championship. One of the players expected to become more important is the new Dortmund player Pascal Groß (33), who was already Kroos’ backup in midfield at the European Championship.
“Pascal is someone who can play a similar style,” said Nagelsmann. Bayern youngster Aleksandar Pavlovic (20), who missed the European Championships due to a tonsil operation, and Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller (23) are players who could have a future in the center.
Kimmich as a profiteer
Kimmich could be the big beneficiary of Gündogan’s retirement. Will Nagelsmann now move him back from the right full-back position to his favorite area in midfield? That would be an additional upgrade for Kimmich, who has played for the national team 91 times, to the possible captaincy. Under the new Bayern coach Vincent Kompany, Kimmich is playing in midfield again in Munich. That could also influence the national coach’s plans.
After the European Championship exit, Nagelsmann stressed that he wanted to leave the decision about the future to the older players like Neuer, Müller and Gündogan. He is not worried about the absence of the experienced players. “We have a large core of players who are 26, 27 and 28 and can definitely still play in the World Cup,” said the national coach.
Gündogan from Barça back to Guardiola?
Meanwhile, Gündogan’s future remains exciting, apart from the DFB’s clarification. It is clear that the 33-year-old will continue to play club football, but where? According to media reports, FC Barcelona has clearly informed last year’s regular player that he is to leave Barça, which is now coached by former national coach Flick, early in this transfer window. A comeback for Gündogan at Manchester City does not seem to be out of the question. City coach Pep Guardiola is said to want his former captain back in the City team.
