Mittag announces international retirement - WOMEN'S FOOTBALL
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- Anja Mittag announces international retirement after 158 games
- Won 2007 Women's World Cup, three Women's EUROs and Olympic gold
- Mittag: "Thank you for the incredible moments and titles we celebrated together"
FIFA Women’s World Cup China 2007 winner Anja Mittag has today announced her retirement from the German women’s national team. The 32-year-old, who amassed a staggering 158 games for Die Nationalelf, last featured for Steffi Jones’ side in their UEFA Women’s EURO quarter-final defeat against Denmark.
A colossal name in the women’s game, Mittag enjoyed a stellar career with Germany, being crowned a world champion at China PR 2007 while also winning three UEFA Women’s Championships and striking gold at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Rio 2016.
Only three players can look back on more games for Germany than the Rosengard striker: Birgit Prinz (214), Kerstin Stegemann (191) and Ariane Hingst (174).
"For 12 years I have had the honour of wearing the German national team jersey, however, now it is time to say goodbye,” Mittag posted on social media. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart, for the incredible moments and titles we celebrated together."
Mittag’s first senior international appearance for Germany came against Italy on 31 March 2004. The striker also enjoyed success with the national team before then, winning the 2004 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup and the 2002 UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship.
The German was also selected in Canada 2015’s All Star Team, as selected by the Technical Study Group, as well as Canada 2015’s Dream Team, as voted by FIFA.com users.
“Anja was outstanding for the national team and can look back on an impressive career," Germany head coach Steffi Jones told DFB.de. "She was a model on and off the pitch, made the important goals and won all the titles. I also value her as a personality who has always put herself at the service of the team, was modest and never wanted to make a fuss. We will miss her."
