After ten years as Switzerland’s top goalkeeper, Yann Sommer announced his retirement from the national team on Monday at the age of 35. He will now focus on his career with Inter Milan.
The Swiss soccer federation’s announcement means Gregor Kobel from Borussia Dortmund will likely become the new first-choice goalkeeper.
Sommer played in three World Cups and three European Championships with Switzerland after making his debut in 2012.
His last game was a penalty shootout loss to England following a 1-1 draw in the Euro 2024 quarterfinals last month in Germany.
One of Sommer’s greatest achievements for the national team was saving Kylian Mbappé’s penalty, which helped Switzerland win a shootout against France after a 3-3 draw in the round of 16 at Euro 2020.
Sommer contributed to Inter winning Serie A in his first season in Italy and has also won league titles in Germany with Bayern Munich and four times in Switzerland with Basel.
Gregor Kobel, who is 26, has made five appearances for Switzerland, including one at the 2022 World Cup, where he played in a 3-2 win over Serbia in Qatar while Sommer was out with a severe cold.
Switzerland’s next matches are on September 5 and 8 against Denmark and Euro 2024 champion Spain in the top group of the UEFA Nations League.
