This archive report was first published on 17 July 2020.
Andre Schuerrle, a 2014 World Cup winner with Germany, has announced his retirement from football at the age of 29, two days after his contract with Borussia Dortmund was terminated by mutual consent.
According to German magazine Der Spiegel, Schuerrle opened up about the loneliness he suffered as a professional footballer in the last two seasons after he spent a year on loan at Spartak Moscow and another at Fulham.
"The decision matured in me for a long time," Schuerrle said. "I don't need any more applause."
Since making his debut for Mainz 05 in 2009, Schuerrle made over 370 club appearances and went on to play for Bayer Leverkusen, Chelsea, and VfL Wolfsburg.
He was capped 57 times by Germany and scored 22 goals.
