Germany international Lukas Podolski has announced his retirement from international football after playing over twelve years for the senior national team.

The 31 year old Polish-born star, popularly known as “Poldi”, played 129 times and scored 48 goals for Germany and was always one of the fan favourites.

Podolski announced his decision on his official Facebook page on Monday.

Here is Lukas Podolski’s full statement:

Dear fans,

With the new season and an international break just around the corner, I wanted to announce something. I have told the Germany manager that I am no longer going to play for the national team. I will now focus on other things, above all my family of course. I am sure they won’t mind me spending more time with them in the future all that much, and it’s something I’m really looking forward to.

It was a difficult decision for me. The national team has always been a matter close to my heart, and it will always remain that way. But after the EUROs and my holiday, I noticed that my focus had shifted. There is a time for everything and my time with the DFB has come to an end.

Saying goodbye is very emotional. I am proud of what I have experienced with the DFB. Nothing can replace the joy, passion and togetherness that my time with the DFB-Team gave me. Going from a two-year-old Polish boy, who practically came to Germany with nothing more than a football under his arm, to a World Champion – it’s more than I could have ever imagined.

I have celebrated major success with Germany on the pitch, but not only that, I have experienced so much off the pitch too, visiting countries and cities all over the world. I have met a lot of great people and found many friends. It’s staggering really.

Thank you to the DFB. Thank you to the team behind the team. Thank you to my teammates. And thank you to the coaches; thank you Rudi Völler, thank you Jürgen Klinsmann, and in particular, thank you Joachim Löw!

The biggest thanks of all goes to you guys though. The fans have always stuck by me, even in difficult times. I can always rely on you, and the connection with you has always been incredibly important to me. Now that I’m stepping aside, that is what I will miss the most: being close to you. I hope that I have been able to give back a bit of what you gave to me. Thank you for everything! I wish the national team success in the future. Let’s bring the trophy home to Germany in 2018 too! I will be cheering the boys on like any other huge fan of this team.

It has been an honour. All the best!

Your number 10, Poldi

Germany manager Joachim Löw reacted in a statement on DFB.de on Podolski’s announcement: “Just like Basti (Schweinsteiger), Lukas was always a constant for me. We have always relied on him and still do to this day. He is a role model in terms of his professionalism and attitude, and he always puts the team’s success ahead of anything else. He was an established name in the team and he always gave his all. 48 goals in 129 internationals speaks for itself and demonstrates the extent of his footballing quality. We became world champions together in Brazil, and as head coach, I have come a very long way with him. We have celebrated together, and Poldi has always taken responsibility when things weren’t going so well. For his loyalty, his effort and all the fun and joy he has always brought to the team, I can simply say thank you.”

German FA (DFB) President Reinhard Grindel added: “Lukas Podolski is an outstanding footballer, who has not just delivered unforgettable and emotional moments through his 48 international goals. He has pulled on a Germany shirt 129 times and became a world champion in Rio, but he has never let this go to his head and has stayed true to himself. With his style of play, his exemplary attitude, his open manner and his social engagement, he has become a real fan favourite and a model of integration. I was particularly impressed by how he looked after the younger players during the EURO 2016 in France. A world champion in team building.”