Giroud to Di Maria - Players Who Announced International Retirement After Euro & Copa America in 2024

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Several players brought down their curtains following the Euro 2024 and Copa America 2024, which concluded on Sunday (July 14) with Spain winning the European Championship and Argentina winning the South American Football Championship.

While Lionel Messi's Argentina rode on a solitary goal from Lautaro Martinez to beat Colombia in the final to win a record breaking 16th Copa America title, Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal helped Spain edge England to win their record 4th Euro title.

After the conclusion of the two tournaments, many senior players called it quits on the international stage. Germany's Toni Kroos had already announced Euro 2024 will be his last appearance in the football field, while the rest bid adieu to their international careers during or after the tournament.

Kroos' compatriot Thomas Muller took to social media to announce his international retirement just a day after the Euro 2024. Switzerland's Xherdan Shaqiri and France's World Cup-winner Olivier Giroud also followed suit with their announcements.

Meanwhile some big name players like Thiago Alcantara, Leonardo Bonucci and Joe Hart were among the stars who announced their international or retirement from the game in the year.

Argentina's Angel Di Maria is one player, who has officially confirmed that Copa America was his last international appearance, while several other veterans may also announce their retirements in the coming days.

If not their international retirement, many have definitely played their last Euro and Copa America tournaments, including the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Suarez.

Apart from Di Maria, his compatriot Nicolas Otamendi also may have made his final appearance for Argentina as hinted during the celebrations when the duo accompanied Messi to lift the trophy.

Several big names will be into their 40s when the next big international tournament arrives, the FIFA World Cup 2026. So, expect many to announce their international retirements soon. As it stands, these players have confirmed their retirements in this year:

Football players who announced international retirement after Euro and Copa America in 2024

• Toni Kroos - Germany
• Thomas Muller - Germany
• Olivier Giroud - France
• Xherdan Shaqiri - Switzerland
• Angel Di Maria - Argentina

Messi and Ronaldo may have not announced their retirements as yet but some of their teammates at club level and internationals may soon announce their retirements in the coming days or months. Here is a look at players who may announce international retirement:

Football players who may announce international retirement

• Pepe - Portugal
• Nicolas Otamendi - Argentina
• Luis Suarez - Uruguay
• Luka Modric - Croatia
• Jesus Navas - Spain
• Jan Vertonghen - Belgium
• Dusan Tadic - Serbia

As mentioned earlier, several players who were not part of either the Euro or Copa America also announced their international retirements this year, including India great Sunil Chhetri. Here is look at the list:

Football Players who announced international retirement in 2024

• Leonardo Bonucci - Italy
• Marouane Fellani - Belgium
• Thiago Alcantara - Spain
• Joe Hart - England
• Ryan Bertrand - England
• Sunil Chhetri - India