MUNICH (GERMANY), December 24 (dpa/EP) –
The legendary German former goalkeeper Sepp Maier believes that Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will be the starter for the team in next year's Euro Cup where Germany will host, and he thought that Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos should not return to the four-time champion of the world.
Neuer recovered at the end of last October from a leg fracture he suffered in December 2022. The 37-year-old goalkeeper has been the starter in all major tournaments since 2010 and is expected to return to the national team for the next matches March, despite the good level he offers in his club, FC Barcelona, Marc-André ter Stegen, currently out due to a back injury.
“Ter Stegen is a very good goalkeeper, but Manu is recovering his past form. Therefore, there is no doubt who will be number one at the Euro Cup in Germany,” said Maier in an interview broadcast this Sunday by 'Sport1'
The one who was European and world champion with the Federal Republic of Germany in 1972 and 1974 did not doubt that Neuer would return despite his last serious injury. “He's such a great goalkeeper that he just had to come back,” he noted.
On the other hand, regarding a possible return of Toni Kroos to the national team, which the Madrid player left in 2021, it was clear. “He has already had his time. We have many talented players in his position who can help the team,” he concluded.
Finally, Maier considered in general terms that he has mixed feelings regarding how Germany's performance in the Euro Cup will be, after the bad tournaments of recent years and the fact of having only three victories in 11 friendlies this year.