Gomez retires from Germany duty

Another Die Mannschaft mainstay has bid auf Wiedersehen to the Germany national team.

A little more than two weeks after Mesut Ozil retired from Germany duty, striker Mario Gomez has followed suit, ending a decorated 11-year tenure with 78 caps and 31 goals.

Related: Ozil retires from Germany duty, citing 'racism and disrespect'

"My time in the national team was not always easy, not always successful but it was beautiful," Gomez wrote on Facebook, courtesy of the DFB's official website. "But now is the time to make room and give the many young and talented players (coming through) the opportunity to fulfill their dream, to prove themselves, to gain experience and to achieve the best for Germany."

Gomez, 33, was named to Joachim Low's 23-man 2018 World Cup squad, making three substitute appearances in Russia, including a half-time change against Sweden in which the forward assisted on Marco Reus' opener. It was Gomez's second World Cup after missing out on the title-winning 2014 installment with a knee injury.

A two-footed goal threat who also excels in aerial duels, Gomez returned to Stuttgart in January after emerging from Die Roten's academy to make his senior debut in 2003. Gomez made his maiden Germany appearance in 2007 following progression through six rungs of the European heavyweights' youth set-up, scoring on his debut against Switzerland. The towering forward was also named German Footballer of the Year in 2007 and finished top scorer at Euro 2012.

Gomez's retirement now leaves Low with a dearth of bonafide No. 9 options, with RB Leipzig's Timo Werner the only traditional striker in the senior squad. Werner, 22, failed to score a goal in Russia despite starting all three of Germany's group-stage matches.