Goalkeeper Merle Frohms Announces Retirement from Germany Women's Team

Goalkeeper Merle Frohms is retiring from the Germany women's team after being benched for the Paris Olympics. Frohms, who played 52 times for Germany, wants to focus on her club career with Wolfsburg and spend more time with family and friends. Coach Christian Wück expressed his respect for her decision.

Goalkeeper Merle Frohms is retiring from the Germany women's team, a decision that comes shortly after she was surprisingly benched for the Paris Olympics tournament.

Frohms, who has 52 national appearances, including a memorable run to the European Championship final in 2022 and a shock exit in last year's World Cup group stages, cited her desire to concentrate on her club career with Wolfsburg and spend more time with family and friends. "I had already decided last year to leave the national team after the Olympic tournament," Frohms said in a statement issued by the German soccer federation on Tuesday. Gotham FC's Ann-Katrin Berger was Germany's starting goalkeeper as the team recently secured a bronze medal.

Christian Wück, who took over coaching duties post-Olympics, stated that Frohms would have remained a key player if she had continued. "I would have been very happy to work with Merle and I made that clear to her as well in a personal conversation," Wück said. "Now, she has made this decision, which I obviously must respect."

(With inputs from agencies.)