Hansi Flick continues to build on Thomas Müller as a national player. In the first international matches after the World Cup debacle, the 33-year-old should not be part of the squad.

This is reported by "Sport Bild" without citing a source. Accordingly, the offensive player from FC Bayern Munich will be given a break in the two test international matches of the DFB selection at the end of March.

The opponents and venues are expected to be announced later this week. According to reports, Germany will play Peru in Mainz on March 25th and Belgium in Cologne on March 28th. Until the European Championships at home in summer 2024, the DFB selection only has to play friendlies.

If necessary to the EM

Should Flick have a need for the EM, Müller is ready. The 121-time national player recently made that clear at the Bayern training camp in Qatar. "As long as I'm a professional footballer, I'll always be available in the national team if I'm needed," said Müller in Doha.

Immediately after the 4-2 win over Costa Rica that secured the World Cup knockout. could not prevent it, Müller had hinted at a DFB resignation, but quickly put this statement into perspective. At the World Cup, Müller had been in the starting XI in all three group games, but could not convince. At FC Bayern, the offensive player came on as a substitute in the first two Bundesliga games of the year at RB Leipzig (1-1) and against 1. FC Köln (1-1).

So far, no national player has announced his retirement after the World Cup. Veteran Ilkay Gündogan (32) apparently also wants to wait and see how the tournament will develop in the summer of 2024. After captain Manuel Neuer (36) broke his leg, his longtime deputy Marc-André ter Stegen (30) is considered number one in goal.