Sabitzer also makes ‘a Courtois’ with Austria

Austrian attacking midfielder Marcel Sabitzerof the Borussia Dortmundwill stop playing with his national team at least until the end of the year and will miss the next Nations League matches, the team reported this Sunday. Austrian Football Federation (ÖFB).

Sabitzer, from 32 years and with 102 international matches, he explained that he needs to dose his efforts after two very demanding seasons.

“The last two years have been very intense. Since the 2024 Euro Cup, for the Club World Cup and the World Cup, I have practically played three seasons in a row,” said the footballer, who recalled that this campaign will once again have a calendar loaded with Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions League.

“I’m 32 years old, I want to continue playing football at the highest level for a few more years and I have to manage my strength well,” he said.

After several conversations with the coach, Ralf Rangnickboth agreed that the player should now take a break and reassess his future with Austria at the beginning of 2027.

“We have agreed that now I will take a break and that at the beginning of next year we will talk about whether I will return to the national team to play in the qualifying phase for the Euro Cup,” said the player.

Rangnick assured that he understands the decision, although he regretted not being able to count on him in the Nations League, and highlighted that Sabitzer, who has scored 27 goals with the Austrian shirt, remains open to returning when the team needs him.

The midfielder has played four major tournaments with Austria, three European Championships (2016, 2021 and 2024) and the last World Cup, a figure that he only shares in the history of the national team with Marko Arnautovic, who retired from the national team after the world championship.

Austria will debut in the Nations League on September 24 against Israel in Linz and will host Kosovo three days later in Vienna.