Sabitzer opts for a 'Courtois break' and quits Austria's national team

Marcel Sabitzer, the offensive midfielder of Borussia Dortmund, has announced that he will stop playing for the Austria national team at least until the end of the year, while his club calendar remains packed with Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions League, creating a contrast between his two commitments.

Marcel Sabitzer, 32, already has 102 international caps for Austria. The offensive midfielder celebrated a goal for the national team, an image captured by Christian Bruna / Getty EFE. “The last two years have been very intense,” he said, adding that he needs to pace his efforts after two very demanding seasons.

Club schedule packed

Borussia Dortmund keeps Sabitzer on a tight schedule, combining the Bundesliga, the German Cup and the Champions League. The player has stated that, at 32, he wants to continue competing at the highest level for several more years, despite pressure from the clubs.

After several talks with manager Ralf Rangnick, both agreed that Sabitzer will take a break and reassess his future with Austria at the beginning of 2027. “We have agreed that I will now take a break and that at the start of next year we will talk about whether I will return to the national team for the qualifying phase for the Euro,” the player said.

Consequences for the Nations League

The decision leaves Austria without Sabitzer for the upcoming Nations League matches. The team will debut on September 24 against Israel in Linz and will host Kosovo three days later in Vienna, forcing the Austrian Football Federation (ÖFB) to look for alternatives.

Rangnick understood the measure, although he lamented not having Sabitzer in the Nations League. He highlighted that the midfielder has scored 27 goals for the Austrian shirt and remains open to returning when the team needs him.

With the national team, Sabitzer has played in four major tournaments: three Euros (2016, 2021 and 2024) and the last World Cup. That number is only shared with Marko Arnautovic, who retired after the World Cup.

The contrast between the overload of commitments at the clubs and Sabitzer’s absence from the national team underscores the growing tension between maximum‑level demands and the need to preserve the continuity of the national side. Austria will evaluate its squad before the qualifying phase, while the player decides his future at the beginning of 2027.