Germany’s veteran goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, has announced his retirement from international football after a illustrious career spanning over 15 years. The 38-year-old Bayern Munich star made the announcement on social media, stating that he plans to “concentrate fully” on playing for his club.
Neuer played 124 matches for Germany, captaining the team 61 times, and was a key player in their 2014 World Cup victory. He also impressed at the recent Euro 2024 tournament, despite initial criticism for a series of mistakes at club and international level.
The goalkeeper’s retirement comes after discussions with his family and Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann. Neuer follows fellow 2014 World Cup winners Thomas Mueller and Toni Kroos, as well as current captain Ilkay Gundogan, into international retirement.
Neuer’s departure clears the way for Marc-Andre ter Stegen to take over as Germany’s number one goalkeeper. The Bayern captain will now focus on his club career, where he has won numerous titles, including two Champions Leagues and 11 Bundesliga titles.
