BERLIN, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- German striker Mario Gomez will no longer wear the national team jersey after announcing his retirement in an official statement on Sunday.
Weeks after the upsetting group stage elimination at the FIFA World Cup in Russia, Gomez announced in a statement to hang up his national team jersey with immediate effect.
"My time with the national team was not always easy nor always successful and yet it was beautiful. I have met many people with whom I will remain very attached," Gomez said.
The 33-year-old striker played his way through all Germany youth teams before he earned his first call up for the senior team in February 2007. He scored ever since 31 goals in 78 competitive caps.
"Now it is time to make room and give the many young and talented players the opportunity to make their dream come true," Gomez said.
Gomez was part of the German national team in 2008 when they finished second at the UEFA European Championship and in 2010 when Germany took the third at the FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
From now on the striker will fully focus on his time at Bundesliga side Stuttgart. The "Swabians" kick off their season against Mainz on Aug. 26.
