Sara Doorsoun announces retirement from the German national football team
Defender Sara Doorsoun ended her career with the German national team shortly before the European Championship. "I am very grateful for the great memories and moments I was able to experience with the national team," said the 33-year-old from Eintracht Frankfurt in a DFB statement. "I wish my team all the best at the European Championships with all my heart. The girls should show everyone, and especially themselves, how good they are."
Doorsoun has long been committed to promoting the development of young children with a migrant background: The father of the Cologne native comes from Iraq, and her mother from Turkey.
She played her first of 59 international matches in 2016, and her last last Tuesday, when she came on as a substitute in the 6-0 win against Austria in Vienna. The former Wolfsburg player continues to play in the Bundesliga with Eintracht Frankfurt.
"To be honest, it wasn't the plan that it would happen before the tournament this summer. After being informed that I was 'only' on call for the tournament, I decided to end my career after almost 10 years with the national team," Doorsoun wrote on Instagram. However, this was not a rash or defiant decision.
The 2024 Olympic bronze medalist and 2022 European Championship runner-up was part of the DFB squad for many years. Before her nomination on Thursday for the European Championship in Switzerland (July 2-27), Doorsoun was considered a shaky candidate.
"Unfortunately, her injury has set her back in a crucial phase of preparation for the tournament in recent months, so we had earmarked her for the extended European Championship squad," said national coach Christian Wück. He expressed regret that Doorsoun is ending her career with the national team, but respects her decision.
RND/dpa
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