Defender Per Mertesacker has resigned from the German national team, the third player from the World Cup winning side to call it quits, dpa reported. The 29-year-old Arsenal player made the announcement in an interview with Saturday's edition of the Sueddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) paper available in its digital version. Captain Philipp Lahm and striker Miroslav Klose have also retired in the wake of the World Cup title won last month in Brazil. "The main reason was to make my own decision - after 10 wonderful and very intense years in the national team with more than 100 caps and five big tournaments - instead of waiting for the end of the chapter," he said. "I am proud and thankful that I could be around for so long. It (the World Cup title) was the golden finale, the most beautiful and emotional end you can imagine." Mertesacker, who won 104 caps since a debut in October 2004 in a friendly against Iran, said "I am hungry for more titles but I want to win those with Arsenal." -- SPA 21:58 LOCAL TIME 18:58 GMT تغريد
