Jerome Boateng has zero plans to retire from international football

The fallout continues from Germany’s disappointing World Cup campaign where a 2-0 defeat to South Korea ended their defense of football’s most prestigious prize. That loss was the culmination of a below-average, one-dimensional team who looked like a shadow of their 2014 selves.

Those results, and performances, have led many to question the future of the senior players within the squad. Mesut Özil and Sami Khedira have been heavily criticised in the media as fans ponder whether the heroes of Brazil four years ago are fit to wear the nation’s shirt anymore. Bayern Munich’s towering centre-back, Jerome Boateng, is another individual who has received his fair share of criticism in recent days, but according to the man himself, he has zero plans to retire from international competition.

Speaking to the Welt am Sonntag (via AZ), Boateng said,

As long as no one comes up to me and tells me that everything will be totally new and I’m not in their plans at all anymore, I’d definitely like to keep on playing. I’m a leading player and as such ready to take on the challenge with them. I will try to pass my experience on to the young players. I’d definitely like to help out so that we come back stronger.

What’s interesting is that Boateng leaves the door open for the DFB to communicate their future plans to him, suggesting the possibility that Germany could hypothetically head in a younger, fresher direction. However, until that day does arrive, the 29-year-old is adamant in his intention to continue representing his country.