10 players who could retire from international football after the Euros

As well as being entertained by a crop of exciting youngsters at the Euros, football fans may also be seeing the skills of a number of veteran players for the final time on the international stage.

Here are some of the famous faces who may bow out from international football following the conclusion of the Euros in Germany.

Robert Lewandowski

Poland

Poland's bid to progress at Euro 2024 was over after they lost their first two matches but their talismanic striker Robert Lewandowski equalised from the penalty spot as they bowed out with a 1-1 draw against France. 

That might have been a nice way for the prolific Pole to sign off, but the 35-year-old, who missed his team's opening game against the Netherlands due to injury, has said he has no plans to retire.

Whether he can play at another big tournament is the big question as Poland finished third in their qualifying group for the Euros and only earned a place via the play-offs. A tough World Cup draw could mean this was Lewandowski's tournament swansong after all. 

Toni Kroos

Germany

Classy Germany midfielder Toni Kroos has already announced that he will retire from professional football after this tournament, so each match he plays from now on could be his last.

Having signed off his club career by winning the Champions League for a sixth time as Real Madrid beat Borussia Dortmund at Wembley, Kroos will be targeting a perfect double by winning Euro 2024 for Germany in front of a home crowd in Berlin on 14th July. 

Luka Modric

Croatia

Croatia had a fairly miserable time at the Euros, conceding late equalisers to Albania and Italy to depart with only two points, but veteran midfielder Luka Modric says he intends to continue his career for club and country.

Modric scored Croatia's goal in the 1-1 draw with Italy, becoming the tournament's oldest ever goalscorer at 38, but says he will keep playing for now.

Pepe

Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo was not even the oldest player in Portugal's Euros squad at 39 as team-mate Pepe is two years older at 41.

The oldest player ever to appear at the Euros played his first game in the competition in 2008 but has previously said he will go on as long as Ronaldo does.

Getting to the 2026 World Cup would seem to be something of a stretch, but Portugal's penalty shootout win over Slovenia does give Pepe another game at a major tournament against France.

Olivier Giroud

France

Olivier Giroud made substitute appearances in each of France's group games but was not called upon against Belgium in the round of 16. 

The 37-year-old former Arsenal and Chelsea star has already announced this will be his last international competition in a career that has seen him earn 136 caps for France, scoring 57 goals.

Jan Vertonghen

Belgium

Jan Vertonghen's international career would have ended in the most miserable way possible if he decides to hang up his boots after Euro 2024. Belgium's challenge ended when Vertonghen's own goal with just five minutes left handed victory to France in their last-16 clash.

The former Spurs defender, now with Anderlecht, has sent out mixed messages about his likely retirement date but the 37-year-old probably now has an incentive to carry on and add to his 156 caps.

Kevin De Bruyne

Belgium

Belgian midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne has already said he will return to play for Manchester City next season, but he has hinted that his international future may not be quite as certain.

The classy playmaker has commented that he may enjoy the rest afforded by the international breaks if he stepped down from Red Devils duty after 104 caps, but at only 33 he looks to have more to give.

Manuel Neuer

Germany

Goalkeepers can find it easier to extend their careers into their forties than outfielders but Manuel Neuer might be tempted to join Kroos in saying auf wiedersehen if Germany win the Euros.

Bayern Munich reportedly expect Neuer and club-mate Thomas Muller to make 2024/25 their final domestic season, so this could be his final tournament, but Neuer himself has said he will only consider his options after the tournament.

N'Golo Kante

France

N'Golo Kante has impressed for France at Euro 2024 after an international absence of two years and the midfielder has even set a record for playing more European Championship games without losing than any other player.

The former Leicester and Chelsea ace has been hampered by injuries in recent seasons and is unlikely to continue to the next World Cup, but he has been full of running at this tournament and has made no official announcement on his future.

Christian Eriksen

Denmark

Having represented Denmark at six major tournaments, technically gifted midfielder Christian Eriksen will go down as one of the finest players his country has ever produced.

The midfielder scored the Danes' goal in their opening draw with Slovenia and has now broken the record for international appearances for his country. The 32-year-old has a year remaining on his Manchester United contract and has given no indication that he is considering retirement yet.