Per Mertesacker retires from international duty with Germany

• World Cup-winning Arsenal defender ends international career
• Earned 104 caps in 10-year spell in the German national team

Per Mertesacker, right, has decided to end his international career after winning the World Cup with Germany. Photograph: Jens Kalaene/EPA

The Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker has ended his international career at the age of 29. The centre-back, who won the World Cup in his final game with Germany in Brazil, won 104 caps and scored four goals.
Mertesacker made his international debut in October 2004, against Iran aged just 20, after making an impressive start to the season at the heart of Hannover’s defence.
The 6ft 6in defender follows Germany’s captain in Brazil, Philipp Lahm, and the World Cup’s all-time record goalscorer, Miroslav Klose, into retirement.