German World Cup winning goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has announced his retirement from international football, after making his debut nearly 15 years ago.
The Bayern Munich star, 38, issued a video statement on his Instagram, recounting some of his most favoured memories with his national side before thanking the German Football Association (DFB).
‘Dear fans, dear football Germany,’ he began.
‘The day had to come at some point. Today is the end of my career with the German national football team. Everyone who knows me knows that this decision was not an easy one.
‘It has been over 15 years since my debut, when we played against the United Arab Emirates and I was extremely nervous.
German World Cup winning goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has announced his retirement from international football
Neuer thanked fans for supporting him over the years in a statement on his Instagram account
Neuer, who made his international debut back in 2009 during a friendly against the United Arab Emirates, would go on to earn 124 caps for Die Mannschaft and make 51 clean sheets.
‘We have had many ups and downs with the national team. I think everyone knows the highlight. The victory in the Maracana stadium against Argentina, where we became world champions,’ he said.
Neuer has featured in four World Cup tournaments during his international career, notably winning the iconic Jules Rimet trophy in 2014, with his side beating Argentina in the final.
He was also a part of Julian Nagelsmann’s squad that featured at Euro 2024, playing in all of Germany’s games at this summer’s tournament.
‘When I look back today, it fills me with pride and a lot of gratitude. To have been on the pitch with all my teammates and to have been captain of the German national team for over seven years until my injury.
Neuer has featured in four World Cup tournaments during his international career, notably winning the iconic Jules Rimet trophy in 2014
He was also a part of Julian Nagelsmann’s squad that featured at Euro 2024, playing in all of Germany’s games at this summer’s tournament.
‘What happened after that was an encore for me and the fact that I managed to stand on the pitch again at a home European Championship was the crowning glory.’
He is the second high-profile Germany international to announce their retirement in recent weeks after Ilkay Gundogan announced he too would be stepping down from the German national side on Monday.
Neuer added that the decision was not an easy one to make, with the Germany goalkeeper stating that he has had multiple conversations with his family over the decision to step back from international football.
Many, including his partner Anika, congratulated the goalkeeper on Instagram following his announcement
‘Anyone who knows me, knows that I didn’t make this decision lightly,’ he wrote in a separate post on Instagram.
‘I feel very good physically and of course, the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico would have been irritated too.
‘And yet, after many intense and long discussions with my family and friends, I have decided that right now is the right time to close my chapter in the National Eleven.’
Many fans wrote to congratulate Neuer on his retirement from international football, including his wife Anika.
She wrote: ‘You are our hero! You are the hero of Germany! You are the best goalkeeper in the world. You can be infinitely proud of what you achieved with the national team! it’s me. We love you endlessly.’
More to follow…
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