“We don’t have to worry”
Manuel Neuer rules out DFB comeback
September 28, 2024, 9:11 p.m
Manuel Neuer is retiring from the national soccer team after 15 years – and within a few days the first calls for a comeback were heard. Because successor Marc-André ter Stegen is seriously injured, Neuer is part of the discussion again. But the FC Bayern Munich goalkeeper categorically rules out a return.
Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has ruled out a return to the German national football team. “No, I left on my own initiative,” said the 38-year-old on Sky after the 1-1 draw in the Bundesliga top game against Bayer Leverkusen. Neuer was asked whether the injury to his successor in the DFB goal, Marc-André ter Stegen, would change his decision to resign. This “had nothing to do with Marc at all,” replied Neuer.
National coach Julian Nagelsmann had decided on Ter Stegen as the starting goalkeeper after Neuer’s resignation following the home European Championships in the summer. The 32-year-old then suffered a serious knee injury in an FC Barcelona game and was out for months. Neuer said he sent a voice message to ter Stegen after his operation, who himself had once been out for a long time after breaking his leg and fought his way back. “I think I know this way best.”
Neuer names alternatives
Ter Stegen will “definitely handle it,” said Neuer, who played 124 games in the German goal. When asked whether he really wasn’t available, Neuer replied that there were “at least two excellent goalkeepers” in Germany. The 2014 world champion listed Alexander Nübel (VfB Stuttgart), Oliver Baumann (TSG Hoffenheim), Bernd Leno (FC Fulham) and Kevin Trapp (Eintracht Frankfurt). “We don’t need to worry,” said Neuer.
The national team will play in the Nations League in Bosnia and Herzegovina and against the Netherlands in October. Nagelsmann will announce his squad next Thursday.
