Roma center-back Mats Hummels, who helped Germany win the 2014 World Cup, will retire at the end of the season, he revealed on social media on Friday. In an emotional Instagram video, the 36-year-old referenced “a moment no footballer can avoid,” adding “after more than 18 years of everything football has given me, I’m ending my career this summer”.
Early Career and Rise at Dortmund of Mats Hummels
Hummels emerged through Bayern Munich’s youth ranks and debuted for the club at 18, before joining Borussia Dortmund where he became a regular member of Jurgen Klopp’s two-time champions.
World Cup Glory in 2014 for Mats Hummels
Partnering fellow centre-back Jerome Boateng, Hummels played every minute of the 2014 World Cup final, in which Germany defeated Argentina 1-0 at Brazil’s Maracana stadium to claim the title for the fourth time.
Return to Bayern and Pursuit of European Glory
He then returned to Bayern and won another three league championships. Hummels’ return to Bayern, viewed negatively by some Dortmund fans, was to seek a Champions League trophy but the defender was never able to penetrate in Europe’s elite league.
Comeback to Dortmund and Champions League Final Appearances
Hummels came back to Dortmund in 2019, a year before Bayern defeated Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final to win their sixth title.
The defender played twice in the Champions League showpiece final, in 2013 and 2024, both in a losing cause with Dortmund and both at Wembley.
Career Stats and Final Stint at Roma and Julian Nagelsmann’s Tribute
A Germany 78-time player, Hummels appeared 508 times for Dortmund and another 118 for Bayern. He joined Serie A club Roma in 2024 and will retire having played one year for the club.
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann praised Hummels as “a benchmark at the international level and a role model for a generation of defenders”.