Alaba leaves future at national team open after World Cup elimination

FootballSports
3 Jul 2026 • 8:21 AM MYT
DPA International
DPA International

DPA, founded in 1949, one of the world’s leading independent news agencies

Austria national team captain David Alaba didn't make any commitments for the future after his nation was eliminated from the World Cup on Thursday following a 3-0 defeat to Spain.

"I haven't thought about my future, not even on club level. I was really in the moment, very focused and concentrated on the World Cup," he said after the match.

Alaba, who had a very successful career with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, made his World Cup debut this year as Austria qualified for the tournament for the first time since 1998.

His contract with Madrid expired at the end of June, but first he wants to "process this bitter moment. This will definitely take a few days. And then of course I will think about it (the future)."

Alaba has played 117 matches for Austria and scored 15 goals.

Austria all-time top scorer Marko Arnautovic, meanwhile, is set to end his international career. According to his team-mates, Arnautovic was very emotional when saying goodbye to his colleagues.

"There were a lot of tears in the locker room," Alaba said.

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