Boateng hints at international retirement

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Boateng says that the World Cup in 2018 may be his last tournament with Germany. AFP

Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng has suggested that he may retire from international football after the World Cup in Russia in 2018 and says that he'd love to captain Bayern Munich one day.

The 28-year-old told 'Bild' that he had no grudges over not being handed the Germany captaincy when Bastian Scweinsteiger retired, but says he would like to captain Bayern Munich one day.

"I personally congratulated Manu immediately when he got the Germany captaincy," he said. "The captaincy with the national team is not a must [for me].

"I would be very happy to be the Bayern captain if it came to that. For me, it would be just a dream and an honour, with the long line of players that have previously worn the captain's armband.

"As with Germany, though, with Manuel Neuer and Thomas Muller, there are other contenders who deserve it".

The Bayern Munich defender then went on to say that he would retire from international football if Germany successfully defend their World Cup title in Russia in 2018.

"Maybe I have already decided that 2018 in Russia will be my final tournament," he added.

"But only in the case of a world title defence".

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