Germany’s football community has paid tribute to Mats Hummels as he retires at 36, closing a stellar 18-year career that has inspired fans and peers alike. The announcement, conveyed through an emotional Instagram video, saw Hummels reflect on the “irreplaceable” joy of football especially memories in front of Dortmund’s famed Yellow Wall.
His club successes spanned five Bundesliga titles, multiple DFB-Pokals, and remarkable Champions League runs with both Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich. Internationally, he stands tall among Germany’s heroes, with 78 caps and a starring role in the 2014 World Cup win including a memorable quarter-final goal against France.
Germany’s coach Julian Nagelsmann honored Hummels as “a benchmark and a role model for a generation of defenders,” while DFB sporting director Rudi Völler lauded his leadership and symbolic stature in German football.
Tributes poured in from peers and rivals alike such as Paulo Dybala, Virgil van Dijk, Thomas Müller among them echoing admiration for Hummels as both a “legend” and “professor” . This outpouring from clubs, fans, and football institutions alike frames the end of his career not just as a farewell, but a celebration of legacy, leadership, and lasting impact.
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