BERLIN, Aug 15: Veteran forward Lukas Podolski has announced his retirement from Germany's national team.

Podolski said in an Instagram post Monday he had informed Germany coach Joachim Loew that he is retiring from international football with immediate effect.

Podolski called it a difficult decision to make, saying "everything has its time — and my time with the DFB (German national federation) is over," and adding that he wants to spend more time on other things, particularly his family.

The 31-year-old Galatasaray player, who was born in Poland, has played 129 games for Germany over 12 years, scoring 48 goals and winning the World Cup two years ago.

He follows veteran midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger in quitting the national team after the European Championship.

 
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