NAfter the end of the career of former soccer world champion André Schürrle, his wife Anna made him an emotional declaration of love. “I love you infinitely and can’t wait to start a new chapter. A new world is waiting for you, ”she wrote on Instagram under a photo against which she leans on Schürrle’s shoulder. “Be proud of yourself. On your achievements and on this courageous decision that you made “, it went on.
Schürrle announced the end of his career on Friday at the age of only 29. In a “mirror” interview he justified his decision and spoke openly about loneliness, pressure and a deep mental hole after the World Cup intoxication. “The decision matured in me a long time ago,” said Schürrle. “I don’t need applause anymore.” Schürrle reported that he was often lonely, just as “the depths became deeper and the highlights less and less.” The industry had not allowed it to show feelings. “You always have to play a certain role to survive in the business,” he said: “Otherwise you will lose your job and you won’t get a new one.”
Schürrle’s contract with Borussia Dortmund was last terminated after the loan deal with Spartak Moscow ended. Schürrle had previously played for FSV Mainz 05, Bayer Leverkusen, Chelsea, VfL Wolfsburg and Fulham.
In the 2014 World Cup final, the native of Ludwigshafen had given Mario Götze’s winning goal against Argentina (1-0). Today, only a few of his teammates at the time are among the pillars of the national team.
What are the 2014 world champions doing today?
Tor:
Manuel Neuer (34): FC Bayern Munich. National team captain.
Roman Weidenfeller (39): Career ended in 2018. Most recently: Borussia Dortmund. Last international game: June 13, 2015. Current: TV expert (RTL).
Ron-Robert Zieler (31): Second division Hannover 96. Previously Leicester City, VfB Stuttgart. Last international game: June 10, 2015
Defense:
Philipp Lahm (36): Career ended in 2017. Most recently: Bayern Munich. Last international game: July 13, 2014 (World Cup final). Current: entrepreneur, head of organization for the EM 2024.
Per Mertesacker (35): Career ended in 2018. Most recently: Arsenal FC. Last international game: July 13, 2014 (World Cup final). Current: Head of Arsenal’s football academy in London, expert at the DAZN streaming service.
Matthias Ginter (26): Borussia Mönchengladbach. Before: SC Freiburg and Borussia Dortmund. Still international.
Erik Durm (28): Eintracht Frankfurt. Before: Borussia Dortmund and Huddersfield Town. Last international game: November 18, 2014.
Kevin Großkreutz (31): Third division club KFC Uerdingen. Previously: at Borussia Dortmund, Galatasaray Istanbul, VfB Stuttgart, Darmstadt 98. Last international game: September 3, 2014.
Benedikt Höwedes (32): Without a club. Before: Schalke 04 and Lokomotiv Moscow. Last international game: March 26, 2017.
Mats Hummels (31): Borussia Dortmund. Before: Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern Munich. Last international game: November 19, 2018.
Jerome Boateng (31): FC Bayern Munich. Last international game: October 13, 2018.
Shkodran Mustafi (28): Arsenal FC. Previously: Sampdoria Genoa and FC Valencia. Last international game: October 8, 2017.
Midfield and attack:
Julian Draxler (26): Paris Saint-Germain. Before: Schalke 04 and VfL Wolfsburg. Last international game: June 11, 2019.
Sami khedira (33): Juventus Turin. Before: Real Madrid. Last international game: June 27, 2018.
Christoph Kramer (29): Borussia Mönchengladbach. Before: Borussia Mönchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen. Last international game: March 29, 2016.
Bastian Schweinsteiger (35): Career ended in 2019. Last club: Chicago Fire. Before: Bayern Munich and Manchester United. Last international game: August 31, 2016. Current: ARD TV expert.
Toni Kroos (30): Real Madrid. Before: Bayern Munich. Still international.
Mario Götze (28): Without a club. Before: Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. Last international game: November 14, 2017.
Mesut Ozil (31): Arsenal FC. Last international game: June 27, 2018.
Miroslav Klose (42): Career ended in 2016. Most recently: Lazio Rome. Last international game: July 17, 2014 (World Cup final). Current: Assistant coach of Hansi Flick at FC Bayern Munich.
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