German defender quits international football
Arsenal's German center-back Mertesacker announces retirement from 'Die Mannschaft' -the Team.
English Premier League club Arsenal's German center-back Per Martesacker retired from Germany's national football team -- nicknamed "Die Mannschaft."
Mertesacker, who is 29, told the German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung on Friday that he would not play for Germany anymore.
"I wanted to end my international career after a 10-year spell on the German national team," Mertesacker said. He said he wanted to concentrate on Arsenal, which is based on London, from now on.
Mertesacker was part of the German team that won the 2014 FIFA World Cup championship.
"I’m still hungry for more titles," he told the newspaper. "But I want to win them with Arsenal -- to win English Premier League, perhaps have a go at the UEFA Champions League."
The German defender has played 103 times for "Die Mannschaft" and scored four goals for his country since 2004, when he made his debut.
