After 15 years and 124 games, Germany’s goalkeeper Manuel Neuer announced on Wednesday that he is leaving the national team. He will continue to play club soccer for Bayern Munich.
2014 saw the 38-year-old Neuer win the World Cup after making his Germany debut in 2009. In the quarterfinals of Germany’s hosting of Euro 2024, the national team suffered a 2-1 overtime defeat to eventual champion Spain, marking his final match as a player.
After talking with family and friends, Neuer said he was tempted to remain on for the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico, but ultimately decided against it. That might allow Marc-Andr ter Stegen of Barcelona to assume the starting goalkeeping role for Germany.
After midfielder Ilkay Gndogan, who led the squad to victory at Euro 2024, Neuer is the second-leading member of the German team to announce his retirement from international soccer this week.
In his Monday statement, he mentioned tiredness as well as the demands of a packed club and international calendar. Moving forward The national team announced Thomas Mller’s retirement last month.
2014 saw the 38-year-old Neuer win the World Cup after making his Germany debut in 2009. In the quarterfinals, he played his final match for the national team, losing 2-1 in extra time against eventual champion Spain.
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