"I've tried long enough to be an important player for the national team, but, apart from Euro 96, my career has taken a disappointing course.
"I was able to play with and against the world's best players, but only for the greatest, like Zinedine Zidane, do all dreams come true."
Scholl also missed USA 94 and France 98 through injury, and won only 36 caps despite making his international debut in 1995.
His last appearance for Rudi Voller's side was a 7-1 friendly win over Israel in February.
Germany coach Voller tried to persuade Scholl to play in this summer's finals, saying he would not have to play in every game of the campaign.
But Scholl turned him down, saying: "Out of 55 possible games with the national team and Bayern Munich this season, I have only taken part in 17.
"I am not 20 any more, I'm 32 soon (16 October), and the World Cup is a strenuous tournament.
"I cannot just go there, play for a quarter of an hour and take a few free-kicks.
"If I had gone, I would have wanted to play well and be able to help. I could not guarantee that."
Scholl has been sidelined for much of this Bundesliga campaign.
In August he sustained an ankle injury, which kept him out for four months, and then his comeback earlier this year was interrupted by recurrent foot and back injuries.