Yahoo Sports Official | Manuel Neuer retires from international football
Manuel Neuer has announced his retirement from international football following in the footsteps of long-time teammate Thomas Müller after EURO 2024.
On Instagram (via @iMiaSanMia), Neuer said:
“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”
Neuer made a total of 124 appearances for the German national team over a 15-year career first against the UAE then the then Schalke keeper would get his big break at the 2010 World Cup. That started his reign as undisputed number one for Germany where he was key in their 2014 World Cup win and captained the side from 2016 until he broke his leg after the 2022 World Cup.
However, since then, Neuer has struggled to be as convincing and dominant as previously and it has brought up the question on if it is his time to step aside and allow long-time number two Marc-André ter Stegen to step up. Sky Germany reports that this will be the case now and the Barcelona keeper will be the new number one for Germany.
The retirements of Neuer, Müller and Toni Kroos mean that basically every member of the national team from the 2014 World Cup winning squad are now no longer around. This will allow a new generation to take over and allow someone to step in to be number two to 32-year-old ter Stegen, such as Alexander Nübel who has been touted as Neuer’s successor ever since he joined Bayern from Schalke.
GGFN | Jack Meenan
