Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, a stalwart of the game, has announced his retirement from international football after representing his country for 15 long years. Neuer, the tall German goalkeeper, has 124 caps to his name and provided several crucial contributions for his team at different junctures of his career. Neuer won the World Cup in 2014 for Germany but couldn’t repeat the heroics in 2018 as Germany was knocked out in the group stage of the tournament. Germany faced a major setback under his captaincy in the 2022 World Cup, where they were again eliminated in the group stage.
The 38-year-old veteran goalkeeper last played for Germany in the European Championship, where the Germans were eliminated in the quarterfinal stage against the mighty Spain. Neuer revealed that he took this step after discussing it with his family as well as with Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann before coming to a final decision.
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Neuer announced his decision officially on Instagram. “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.” Neuer also said he had several memorable moments with the German team. “It was a great time which shaped me and of which I am very proud. Winning the World Cup title in 2014 and the special atmosphere during the European Championship at home this year are highlights for which I am extremely grateful. It was an honour for me to be captain of our national team until 2023. I loved wearing the Germany jersey.”
Earlier in December 2022, Neuer had an unfortunate accident where he broke his leg in a skiing accident but made a resounding comeback to the Germany squad in 2024 for the Euro Cup, which was hosted by his home country. His longtime teammates, Thomas Müller and Toni Kroos, also retired from international football after the Euro Cup 2024. Germany won 81 matches out of the 124 matches that Manuel Neuer played.
