Germany’s Lukas Podolski retires from international football after playing 18 minutes at Euro 2016
The former Arsenal star won 129 caps for his country, scored 48 goals, and lifted the World Cup in 2014
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LUKAS PODOLSKI has retired from international football after playing just 18 minutes at Euro 2016.
The Germany star, 31, won 129 caps, scored 48 goals and lifted the World Cup in 2014, but announced his decision on Monday morning by sharing a mammoth 350-word Instagram entry.
Former Arsenal star Podolski admitted he wanted to spend "more time" with his family after his focus had shifted following Euro 2016.
The forward was named in the Germany squad for the tournament in France but only featured once.
Podolski replaced Julian Draxler from the bench in the 72nd minute in his nation's 3-0 round of 16 win over Slovakia.
Alongside his huge Instagram post, Podolski also shared a collage which featured pictures of him kissing the World Cup as well as snaps of him playing for Germany during his younger years.
His Instagram post included: "The national team has always been in my heart, and they always will be.
"But I felt after the Euros/ vacation that my focus has shifted.
"Everything has its time - and my time at the DFB is over. For me this is a very emotional farewell."
Podolski also thanked his former national team managers, Rudi Voller, Jurgen Klinsmann and Joachim Low, but saved his "biggest thank you" for the fans.
He wrote: "You have always stood by me, even in bad times.
"I hope I could you give back a part of what I got from you!
"To you all: many thanks! I wish the team a successful future - the trophy will go to Germany in 2018."
Voller handed Podolski his Germany debut in June 2004 at the age of 19 as a late sub against Hungary.