Mats Hummels is calling it quits! 2014 World Cup hero ends his career

Rome (Italy) - A big name is saying goodbye: Mats Hummels (36) is turning his back on the soccer stage .

As Germany's 2014 world champion hero announced on the social media platform Instagram, he has decided to end his professional career at the end of the current season.

"I'm struggling with emotions right now. Now comes the moment that no footballer can avoid. After more than 18 years with so many things that soccer has given me, I'm ending my career in the summer," explained the 78-time international at the start of his video statement released early on Friday evening. The ex-BVB star can be seen sitting in front of the camera, reviewing his career once again.

"When I see all this, I realize even more how much this whole path has meant to me, how extraordinary it was to be able to experience it," continued Hummels, who is currently still under contract with Italy's top club AS Roma.

A reaction from his former club, in whose jersey he had won numerous triumphs, followed just a few minutes after publication.

"One of the greatest players in our club's history is calling it a day - your career was unique, Mats! We bow to your achievements, your successes and your career. Forever Borusse! Forever a black and yellow legend!", Borussia Dortmund commented under the clip.

At the beginning of his career as a professional footballer, Hummels went from the youth team of FC Bayern Munich to BVB.

He was under contract with the Black & Yellows from 2008 to 2016 and won the DFB Cup and championship double with the local club in the 2022/12 season.

However, he was drawn back to his old club in 2016. However, he only stayed with the record champions for three seasons before rejoining BVB in 2019. He left Borsigplatz in 2014, whereupon he turned his back on the Bundesliga - and moved to AS Roma, where he still plays today.

First reported at 17:57, last updated at 18:10