Manuel Neuer has called his decision to retire from international football after 15 years with Germany a decision “that has to come at some point”.
Germany's most capped goalkeeper, Bayern Munich goalkeeper Neuer announced the unexpected move on Instagram, ending his career with Die Mannschaft which included winning the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
“Everyone who knows me knows that this decision was not an easy one,” said the 38-year-old player, whose 124 appearances rank him fifth in the history of his country.
“I started playing 15 years ago against the UAE and I was nervous then. We had many good and bad times. The highlight was the World Cup victory in Brazil.
“When I look back today, I am proud and very grateful to stand with my teammates on the field and to be captain for seven years.”
We present you: Manuel Neuer. You have the best goalkeeper in the history of football! 🐐 pic.twitter.com/ZgU6MdQHoI
— DW Sports (@dw_sports) August 21, 2024
Manuel Neuer quits
Germany finally picked up four points from seven games as Neuer won the Golden Glove in Brazil, beating the team 7-1 in the semi-finals and beating Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final.
Neuer finished third in the Ballon d'Or behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the same year and was named FIFA's best goalkeeper in 2020.
Since joining Bayern from Schalke in 2011, Neuer has won the Bundesliga 11 times, the UEFA Champions League in 2013 and 2020 and the German Cup five times.
Returning last October from a leg injury that kept him out for a year, Neuer helped the host nation reach the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 this summer, scoring twice in four games before losing 2-1 to champions Spain after extra time. .
🇩🇪 #ThankManu 🐐🐐🐐@Manuel_Neuer | @DFB_Team pic.twitter.com/DmPiKE1F2w
– UEFA EURO 2024 DE (@EURO2024DE) August 21, 2024
Neuer 'loved' German work
“To make my career successful, I was able to come back from injury and play in the Euro at home,” said Neuer. “I would like to thank all of them [German FA] the staff that accompanied me, especially the coaches and goalkeeper coaches, the staff – we were a family. And my teammates that I had fun playing and training with.
“I am especially grateful to the fans for their support. The support has always been there. I loved wearing the German national team shirt.”
Bayern's league season kicks off at Wolfsburg on Sunday (2.30pm BST). Neuer starred as Die Roten won 4-0 in the first round of the German Cup in second-tier Ulm on Friday, with striker Thomas Muller, who has announced his retirement from Germany after Euro 2024, scoring twice.
Ilkay Gundogan also ended his Germany career after the final, while fellow midfielder Toni Kroos played his final game against Spain after retiring from club football at the end of last season.
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