Marina Hegering retires from Germany national team after Olympic bronze

Marina Hegering, a 34-year-old defender for Germany's women's national soccer team, has announced her retirement from international play following the team's success in winning an Olympic bronze medal. Hegering's career with the national team began later than most, as she made her debut in 2019 at the age of 28 after overcoming several injuries. Over her international career, she played 42 matches, contributing significantly to the team's achievements, including a runner-up finish at the Euro 2022 final against England. Despite her retirement from the national team, Hegering will continue her professional career with her club, Wolfsburg, where she has a contract until the end of the current season. After that, she is set to transition into a coaching role within the club's staff. This move reflects her commitment to the sport and her desire to contribute to the development of future players. Hegering's retirement is part of a broader transition for the German national team, which is entering a new era under the leadership of incoming coach Christian Wück. This change comes as several players from the Olympic squad, including goalkeeper Merle Frohms, have also decided to step back from international duties. Germany is scheduled to play friendly matches against England and Australia next month, marking their first games since the Olympics. These matches will be crucial for the team as they adapt to new strategies and player dynamics in the wake of recent retirements.