MADRID, 21 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer announced on Wednesday that he will no longer play for Germany, becoming the latest 2014 World Cup winner to retire from the ‘Mannschaft’, all in a summer in which Toni Kroos, Thomas Müller and Ilkay Gündogan also said goodbye to the German national team.
“Anyone who knows me knows that this decision has not been easy for me. I feel very good physically and, of course, I would have very much liked to be at the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. At the same time, I am convinced that now is the right time to take this step and fully concentrate on Bayern Munich,” he confirmed on his official Instagram account.
Neuer, 38, who confirmed that he had held a “conversation of trust and gratitude” with coach Julian Nagelsmann to inform him of his decision, thus ends his 15-year career as goalkeeper for his country, with whom he won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and played 124 international matches.
“It was a defining moment for me and one I am very proud of,” he said of winning the World Cup. “Winning the title in 2014 and also the special atmosphere during the European Championship on home soil 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 have loved wearing the German national team jersey,” he said.
On Monday, FC Barcelona midfielder Ilkay Gündogan also ended his career with the German national team. This summer, another 2014 champion, former Real Madrid player Toni Kroos, said goodbye to the pitch at the European Championships, while Bayern Munich striker Thomas Müller said goodbye to the ‘Mannschaft’ shortly after the continental championship ended.