News (engl.)

Sara Doorsoun has retired from duty with the Germany Women’s national team. The Eintracht Frankfurt defender, who will continue her career at club level, racked up 59 international caps, winning an Olympic Bronze medal at Paris 2024 along the way. Two years before that, she and Germany had finished as runners-up at the EUROs in England. She was also part of Germany’s 2017 European Championship squad in the Netherlands, as well as the cohort selected for the 2019 and 2023 World Cups in France and in Australia and New Zealand respectively.

The now 33-year-old made her senior international debut against France in 2016 at the SheBelievesCups in the USA. She had previously played for Germany across numerous youth international levels.

“I am so grateful for the amazing memories”

Sara Doorsoun: “This decision was anything but easy for me to make. A few days of reflection combined with thoughts I’ve already had mean it just feels right for me to end my career with the national team at this moment in time. I am so grateful for the amazing memories and moments I was able to experience while wearing the Germany shirt. I wish my team all the best at the European Championship. The girls should go and show everyone, above all themselves, just how good they are. I’ll being watching on at home as a fan and will be keeping my fingers crossed.”

DFB vice president Sabine Mammitzsch: “Sara was and is a role model for many young female footballers, both on and off the pitch. She has always shown great attitude and used her prominence and reach as a footballer to encourage others. She has also provided a voice and face on important socio-political issues, while never losing her lightness of touch. I would like to thank Sara for her commitment to and positive energy when with the women’s national team and I wish her all the very best.”

Head coach Wück: “Sara was always an important part of the national side”

DFB sporting director Nia Künzer: “I am sad to see Sara retire but I respect her reasons for doing so. She can look back on her international career with pride. I got to know her as an open, professional and strong personality. She is a real team player who was there when needed – not just on the pitch. She selflessly put herself at the service of the team and always demonstrated an exemplary attitude. She was also an important point of contact for young players, who were able to look to her for guidance. I wish her every success in her future endeavours and am sure that she will continue to achieve great things at club level.”

National team head coach Christian Wück: “Sara was always an important part of the national side, furthering the team with her style of play and experience. Unfortunately, the injury she sustained at a crucial stage in preparations for the tournament saw her fall down the pecking order in recent months, meaning we had planned to include her in the extended European Championship squad. We regret the fact she is ending her international career but of course respect her decision.”