Manuel Neuer Retires from International Football
- Manuel Neuer, the Germany goalkeeper, announces his retirement from international football.
- After 15 years and 124 appearances, he will focus on playing for Bayern Munich.
- The decision comes after his World Cup win with Germany in 2014.
Germany's veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has announced his retirement from international duty after a distinguished 15-year career. The 38-year-old Bayern Munich star, who captained the national team 61 times and made 124 appearances, expressed his desire to focus on club football, despite the allure of the upcoming 2026 World Cup in North America. Neuer emphasized that the decision was made after careful consideration and discussions with family and friends. Neuer made his international debut in 2009 under coach Joachim Löw and played a pivotal role in Germany's triumph at the 2014 World Cup, where he was awarded the Golden Glove for the tournament's best goalkeeper. His last appearance for the national team came during the quarterfinals of Euro 2024, where Germany was eliminated by Spain. Neuer's retirement follows a wave of departures from the national team, with fellow players Ilkay Gündogan, Thomas Müller, and Toni Kroos also stepping back after the tournament. In his farewell message, Neuer expressed gratitude to his coaches, teammates, and fans, acknowledging the profound impact of his international career. He has been recognized for revolutionizing the role of the goalkeeper, known for his ability to play higher up the pitch and initiate attacks. Bayern Munich's current coach, Julian Nagelsmann, praised Neuer's influence on the game, highlighting the significant void his departure leaves in both sporting and personal realms. As Neuer transitions to focus solely on club commitments, Barcelona's Marc-André ter Stegen is poised to take over as Germany's first-choice goalkeeper in upcoming fixtures.