Germany and Bayern Munich legend Manuel Neuer announces international RETIREMENT

German legend Manuel Neuer retired from international football, ending his 16-year career after his final appearance at the 2024 Euros.

Germany and Bayern Munich legend Manuel Neuer announces international RETIREMENT

Manuel Neuer announced his retirement from the German national team. (via Bayern Munich's official website)

German legend Manuel Neuer, surprising fans, called time on his international football career, ending his 16-year-long association with the team. The 38-year-old veteran goalkeeper made his final appearance at the 2024 Euros.

Manuel Neuer debuted for the German national team in 2009 against the UAE, in a 7-2 victory in Dubai. He went on to make 124 appearances for the Die Mannschaft, participating in every major tournament since then. The pinnacle of his career came in 2014 when he led the team to a World Cup triumph. Additionally, he won the Golden Glove for most clean sheets during the tournament.

YouTube video

He is considered by some in the media to be one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches tall, Neuer earned acclaim for his speed, composure, consistency, and mentality. In a recent social media post, the 38-year-old reflected on his career, having captained them as well for seven years. The German national team, in turn, expressed their gratitude for his significant contributions to both the team and the sport.

Moreover, Neuer’s retirement from the German national team comes after other veteran stars like Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller, and Ilkay Gundogan also stepped down. Additionally, he is approaching the end of his long-standing tenure with Bayern Munich.

Barcelona star set to become Germany’s number 1 following Manuel Neuer retirement

Marc-Andre ter Stegen is poised to take over as Germany’s first-choice goalkeeper following veteran Manuel Neuer’s recent retirement from international football. After spending 13 years as Neuer’s backup, the 32-year-old is now expected to become a regular starter.

Manuel Neuer and Ter Stegen
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen will replace the outgoing Manuel Neuer in the German national team. (via GOAL)

The Barcelona star is also a leading contender for the German national team captaincy, alongside Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich. Despite his impressive club performances, the Barcelona goalkeeper has made just 40 appearances for Germany since his debut in 2012. In the past, he has expressed frustration about his limited opportunities on the national team.

However, he may face competition from Oliver Baumann, Kevin Trapp, Bernd Leno, and young talent Alexander Nubel as the team prepares for the challenge of the 2026 World Cup.

In case you missed: