Frohms, German goalkeeper retires from international soccer

Admin I Tuesday, September 03, 2024

 

BERLIN – Goalkeeper Merle Frohms has retired with immediate effect from the German women’s national team, saying she wants to concentrate on her club Wolfsburg and have more time for her family.

Frohms, 29, won 52 caps since a 2018 debut and was the starting keeper in Germany’s run to the Euro 2022 final where they lost against hosts England.

She was surprisingly only a back-up at the recent Olympic tournament in Paris, where Germany won the bronze medal with Ann-Katrin Berger between the posts.

Frohms said in a statement issued on Tuesday by the German Football Federation (DFB) that she started thinking about quitting after the Olympics last year.

“Representing my country as number one at two major tournaments was an honour, but also physically and mentally very demanding,” she said.

“Now I’m looking forward to having more time for my family and friends again. On the pitch, I will devote all my energy and focus to Wolfsburg in the future.”

New coach Christian Wück said he would have liked to continue with Frohms but respected her decision. Sporting director Nia Künzer said she regrets Frohms’ decision because “she was always an important part of our team and an absolute top player.”