Berlin, Aug. 15, (GNA/dpa) - Lukas Podolski on Monday announced that he has stepped down from the German national team.
"I told the German coach that starting now I will not play for the national team any longer," Podolski posted on Instagram.
The 31-year-old said he wanted to focus on other things, "of course my family as well."
"The decision was very difficult for me," he added. "The national team always was close to my heart. But I noticed after the Euro (2016)/holidays that my focus had changed."
Podolski played 12 years for Germany, earning 129 caps and winning the 2014 World Cup among other titles.
"Everything has its time - and my time with the DFB (German Football Federation) is over," he wrote.
"This farewell is very emotional for me. I am proud of what I was able to experience with the DFB. Nothing can replace what the time with the DFB team gave me in terms of happiness, passion and solidarity."
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