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Mats Hummels, a key figure in Germany’s 2014 World Cup triumph, has announced he will retire from football at the end of the current season.
The veteran defender, currently playing for Roma, confirmed his decision in a heartfelt video shared on Instagram on Friday.
In the video, the 36-year-old spoke candidly about facing a moment no footballer can avoid, saying, “After more than 18 years of everything football has given me, I’m ending my career this summer.”
Mats Hummels began his professional journey in the youth system at Bayern Munich, making his senior debut at the age of 18.
He later moved to Borussia Dortmund, where he rose to prominence under Jürgen Klopp, becoming a vital part of the squad that won back-to-back Bundesliga titles.
One of the pinnacles of his career came in 2014 when he played a crucial role in Germany’s World Cup-winning campaign. Alongside defensive partner Jérôme Boateng, Hummels played every minute of the final, helping his team secure a 1-0 victory over Argentina at the Maracanã Stadium in Brazil.
He returned to Bayern Munich after a successful stint at Dortmund, winning three more Bundesliga titles.
However, despite high hopes, he never achieved his dream of winning the UEFA Champions League. His transfer back to Bayern was met with disappointment by some Dortmund supporters, particularly as it coincided with the club’s European ambitions.
In 2019, Mats Hummels rejoined Dortmund, just a year before Bayern claimed the Champions League title in 2020. He twice featured in Champions League finals with Dortmund—in 2013 and again in 2024—both times finishing as a runner-up, and both occasions taking place at Wembley Stadium.
Throughout his career, Mats Hummels earned 78 caps for Germany. At the club level, he made 508 appearances for Dortmund and a further 118 for Bayern Munich. He joined Roma in 2024 and is set to end his playing career after one season in Italy’s Serie A.
Paying tribute to the departing defender, Germany national team manager Julian Nagelsmann described Hummels as “a benchmark at the international level and a role model for a generation of defenders.”
