Reports a few days ago indicated that Bayern Munich and Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is gunning for the 2026 World Cup as his last hurrah. Even on Tuesday, Sport Bild’s Christian Falk indicated that Neuer was going to return to the German national team at the end of this year.
But that all changed as the 38-year-old goalkeeper just dropped a video announcing his retirement…from the German national football team.
Full statement (via @iMiaSanMia):
“The day had to come at some point. Today my career with the German national team ends. Everyone who knows me knows that this decision wasn’t easy for me. I made my debut over 15 years ago against the UAE and was so nervous back then. We had many ups and downs. The highlight was obviously the world cup win in Brazil. When I look back today, I’m very proud and grateful to have stood with my teammates on the pitch and to have been captain for 7 years. To crown my career, I was able to come back from injury and play at a home Euros. I would like all DFB employees who have accompanied me, especially the coaches and goalkeeping coaches, the staff – we were a family. And also my teammates with whom I had a lot of fun playing and training. A special thank you to the fans for supporting me. The support has always been there. I loved wearing the German national team shirt. Thank you very much” ❤️
Since taking over from an injured Rene Adler, Neuer has established himself as one of the greats of the game and revolutionized the role of a goalkeeper. For Die Mannschaft, Neuer has achieved the greatest honor a national team can get: the World Cup in 2014.
He follows in the steps of NT teammate and soon-to-be Manchester City player (again) İlkay Gündoğan who called time on his international career a few days back, not long after Toni Kroos and Thomas Müller did the same. The goalposts will be empty and it will be near impossible to replace him. Danke und Auf Wiedersehen, Manu.
