Per calls it quits

The Arsenal central defender, who helped Germany to a fourth World Cup victory last month, made his decision known in interviews with ZDF television and the daily Süddeutsche Zeitung.

"For me, after 10 years of being part of the national team, it's about being able to decide for myself when to close this chapter," the 29-year-old said.

Mertesacker called July's World Cup victory a "golden ending" to his tenure on the national squad, adding that he wanted to focus his efforts on league matches. His sights, he told the Süddeutsche, are now set on winning titles with Arsenal in the English Premier League, "perhaps even in the Champions League."

Rock solid

At 1.98 meters (6 feet 5 inches) tall, the towering defender has been an institution in the German defense for the past decade, with 104 international appearances and four goals under his belt.

He featured in six of the seven matches at this summer's World Cup, enjoying a permanent place at center back until coach Joachim Löw opted for Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels for the semi-final drubbing of hosts Brazil. Löw started with the same pair in the final as well, but subbed Mertesacker in before the end of the 1-0 triumph against Argentina.

Löw had nothing but praise for his defender after hearing of his intentions: "He was always open to new things, always eager to learn, despite his immense experience … I could always rely on him in the 10 years he played for the national team."

Following striker Miroslav Klose and captain Philipp Lahm, Mertesacker is now the third player to call it quits internationally following Germany's victory in Brazil.

glb/kb (Reuters, AP)