Lukas Podolski announced his retirement from international football on Monday. DFB president Reinhard Grindel, head coach Joachim Löw and team coordinator Oliver Bierhoff give their thanks.
DFB president Reinhard Grindel: "Lukas Podolski is an outstanding footballer, who has not just delivered unforgettable and emotional moments through his 48 international goals. He has pulled on a Germany shirt 129 times and became a world champion in Rio, but he has never let this go to his head and has stayed true to himself. With his style of play, his exemplary attitude, his open manner and his social engagement, he has become a real fan favourite and a model of integration. I was particularly impressed by how he looked after the younger players during the EURO 2016 in France. A world champion in team building."
Joachim Löw: "Just like Basti, Lukas was always a constant for me. We have always relied on him and still do to this day. He is a role model in terms of his professionalism and attitude, and he always puts the team’s success ahead of anything else. He was an established name in the team and he always gave his all. 48 goals in 129 internationals speaks for itself and demonstrates the extent of his footballing quality. We became world champions together in Brazil, and as head coach, I have come a very long way with him. We have celebrated together, and Poldi has always taken responsibility when things weren’t going so well. For his loyalty, his effort and all the fun and joy he has always brought to the team, I can simply say thank you."
Oliver Bierhoff: "Lukas has got an unbelievable international record, and only Miro Klose and Gerd Müller have scored more for Germany. He has more than deserved his place in the history books. However, Poldi has also developed into a big name off the pitch and has always stayed true to himself. He is not just a very cheerful person, who is always open and positive, but he stands for integration and fair play like no other and is involved in numerous social initiatives. In Poldi, we are losing a passionate footballer a hugely popular individual, who will be dearly missed by the fans. Thank you, Poldi!"
Yesterday, Poland-born German  football player and  forward Lukas Podolski announced retirement from international football.
File photo of Lukas Podolsk
Debuting internationally in 2004, Podolski has won 129 international , Germany's third all time most capped player after  and . 31-year-old Lukas Podolski is the third top-scorer for Germany, netting 48 goals.

Four years ago, Podolski became the youngest player to make 100 international appearances for Germany aged 27 years 13 days. He was part of the German squad for the UEFA Euro 2016 tournament in France making his final appearance for Germany against Slovakia which was his seventh major tournament.

Podolski won the  in Brazil. Podolski was awarded ''Best Young Player'' in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, hosted in Germany. Podolski said, "I feel like my focus has shifted ... My time is over ... I arrived in Germany as a two-year-old boy with basically only a football under my arm and am now a world champion. That is more than I could ever have dreamt of."

German football manager Joachim Löw said, .

Podolski was the fifth player to retire from Germany's 2014 World Cup squad. Last month, German captain Bastian Schweinsteiger announced retirement from international football. Other players who left the German national squad after winning the World Cup are Philipp Lahm, Miroslav Klose, and .