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August 21 2024
Manuel Neuer: Manuel Neuer, the 38-year-old Bayern Munich legend and 2014 World Cup hero, has decided to hang up his gloves on the international stage. Over his stellar career, he represented Germany 124 times, captaining the team in 61 of those matches. His last appearance was in the Euro 2024 quarter-final, where Germany faced a tough loss against Spain, who went on to win the tournament.
Neuer wrote on social media that although he wanted to play until the 2026 World Cup, he "believes this is the right time to make this move".
He performed brilliantly at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and was named the best goalkeeper of the tournament, in which Germany won the trophy for the fourth time.
Neuer said he made the announcement after discussing it with his family and having a thorough talk with Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann on Wednesday morning.
He said he planned to "fully focus" on playing for Bayern, with whom he has won two Champions League and 11 Bundesliga titles. This season's Champions League final will take place at the Allianz Arena in Munich. Neuer broke his leg in a skiing accident in December 2022 and returned to the Germany squad just ahead of Euro 2024 on home soil, regaining his role as first-choice.
"It was a fantastic time that shaped me and something I am very proud of," he said. Winning the World Cup in 2014 and enjoying the incredible atmosphere of this year's European Championship at home are moments I’m truly thankful for. It was a real privilege to captain our national team until 2023. I loved wearing the Germany jersey."
Neuer is the first player to retire internationally since 2014 World Cup winners Thomas Muller and Toni Kroos, who both played at Euro 2024.
On Monday, Ilkay Gundogan, the current Germany captain who was sidelined by injury during the 2014 World Cup, also revealed that he has played his final international match.
Neuer, who came through the Schalke academy in his hometown of Gelsenkirchen, made his international debut in 2009 and has more caps than any other German goalkeeper.
Germany won 81 of the 124 games Neuer played in and he kept 51 clean sheets. With Neuer retiring, it’s time for Marc-André ter Stegen of Barcelona to step up and become Germany’s new number one goalkeeper.
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