Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has retired from international football.
The Germans were dumped out of the last-32 of the World Cup yesterday, after losing on spot-kicks, following a dismal draw with Paraguay over 120 minutes.
Neuer was the sole survivor of Germany’s 2014 World Cup-winning side – the last time Die Mannschaft actually won a knockout match at the tournament.
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Manuel Neuer has retired from international football for a second time, with Germany in disarray
In an interview with broadcaster Sportschau following Germany’s defeat, the 40-year-old confirmed that he would not be available for selection for his national team anymore.
Later on, Neuer answered “no” when asked by Magenta TV if he would play on, affirming his stance and claiming, “It’s very bitter to end it like this.”
Neuer made his debut for Germany in 2009, replacing long-term no.1 Jens Lehmann between the sticks for the 2010 World Cup and establishing himself as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time.
The Bayern Munich custodian retired from international football following an exit to Spain at Euro 2024 on home soil, with Oliver Baumann replacing the veteran in the net for Nagelsmann over the past two years.
Despite denials from both Nagelsmann and Neuer himself, however, Neuer performed a U-turn to come out of retirement for a fifth World Cup ahead of this tournament, with Baumann relegated to no.2.
The move has been particularly unpopular back in Germany, with a shock defeat in the Round of 32 to the Paraguayans plunging Nagelsmann’s future into doubt, despite the 38-year-old agreeing a contract extension before the World Cup.
Neuer retires as Germany’s fifth-highest appearance-maker behind Lothar Matthaus, Miroslav Klose, Thomas Muller and Lukas Podolski.
The Gelsenkirchen native has established himself as a hugely influential goalkeeper since making his senior debut 21 years ago and departs the international scene with a slew of accolades.
Neuer has twice been Germany’s Footballer of the Year, and earned a third-place spot in the Ballon d’Or vote of 2014.
The 40-year-old has one season left on his Bayern contract.