Pascal Groß Ends Germany National Team Career

Brighton midfielder Pascal Groß has announced his retirement from the German national team, stating his desire to make way for younger talent and focus on his club career with the Seagulls. The 35-year-old midfielder earned 19 caps for Germany, scoring one goal, and represented his country from his debut in September 2023 until this year's World Cup.

His final appearance for Germany was in the 2-1 group stage defeat to Ecuador at the World Cup. Groß was not included in the 44-man squad for the upcoming four Nations League matches under new head coach Jürgen Klopp. “I don’t have social media profiles to announce my retirement there. But I am done with the national team and will no longer play after the World Cup,” Groß stated in an interview with Sky Sports after Brighton’s 3-0 victory over Arsenal on Saturday.

“I believe it’s time for the new generation, and I wish them all the best, crossing my fingers for their success in their matches. I will continue to enjoy playing football here at my club. But I also believe that the building of a new German team will happen, and it’s good for it to start now.” Groß is the third player to retire from the German national team following the World Cup, which saw them eliminated by Paraguay in the Round of 16. The other two are key figures: goalkeeper and captain Manuel Neuer, and central defender Antonio Rüdiger. Groß is currently in his second spell at Brighton, where he also played from 2017 to 2024, having previously featured for Borussia Dortmund before his return.