Manuel Neuer international retirement was announced by the player on the 21st of August, 2024 via his Instagram handle.
Although, today marks the end of my career with the national team. Irrespective, it fills me with pride and a huge amount of gratitude to have played alongside all my teammates and to have captained the national team for over seven years,” said Neuer in a video on his Instagram channel.
“We’ve had many highs and lows. Everyone knows what the highlight was: the victory in the Maracanã Stadium against Argentina, when we were crowned world champions,” the FC Bayern goalkeeper continued.
“However, my thanks go to everyone who was part of my journey and to you, the fans. You’ve always supported me. I loved wearing the jersey of the German national team.’
FC Bayern Supervisory board member and former German international, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said: “Manuel Neuer has already made history with his glittering career in the national team.
In my opinion, he is the greatest goalkeeper German football has ever produced.
He changed the goalkeeping game and raised it to a new level; he set the benchmark and ensured that goalkeepers all over the world emulated his style”.
Manuel Neuer, the German Shot stopper, widely regarded as the best sweeper-keeper of this generation, has paid his dues to international football.
And we would be celebrating him by looking at his international career. Join me!
Manuel Neuer Personal Life
Neuer was born on March 27, 1986, in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. He began playing football at a young age and joined Schalke 04’s youth academy at 14.
Manuel Neuer is married to Nina Weiss, and the couple have a child together, a daughter named Matilda.
Manuel Neuer is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in football history, and has been a cornerstone of the German national team since his debut in 2009.
With 124 caps, he is one of the most capped players in German history, leading the team to a World Cup title and numerous semifinal appearances in major tournaments.
Manuel Neuer International Retirement: Early Years (2009-2010)
Neuer made his international debut on June 2, 2009, in a friendly match against the United Arab Emirates, coming on as a substitute for Robert Enke.
Although He was just 23 years old, he had already established himself as a top goalkeeper in the Bundesliga with Schalke 04.
Despite his impressive performances at Schalke O4, Neuer’s early appearances for the German National team were limited due to the presence of experienced goalkeepers like René Adler and Hans-Jörg Butt.
Manuel Neuer International Retirement: Breakthrough season!
2010 World Cup
Neuer’s breakthrough came during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Although, he was selected as Germany’s third-choice goalkeeper, but an injury to Adler before the tournament and a poor performance by Butt in the opening match against Australia led to Neuer starting the remaining matches.
However, Neuer took the bull by the horns and impressed the coaching staff and the fans with his exceptional reflexes, shot-stopping, and ball distribution, helping Germany reach the semifinals.
Rise to stardom!
Euro 2012
Neuer was Germany’s undisputed first-choice goalkeeper for Euro 2012, starting all five matches as they reached the semifinals. He was praised for his exceptional reflexes and shot-stopping abilities, particularly in the quarterfinal match against Greece.
Manuel Neuer gave credit for his sweeper-keeper style to his time at Schalke 04.
It was at that moment Manuel Neuer cemented his position as the German’s first-choice goalkeeper.
2014 World Cup
Manuel Neuer was a pivotal figure in Germany’s World Cup-winning campaign in 2014.
His sharp reflexes and ball-distributing abilities were key to the German machine’s success.
Neuer started all seven matches, conceding only four goals, and was named the Golden Glove winner as the tournament’s best goalkeeper.
His sweeper-keeper style was particularly effective in the group-stage match against Portugal as he neutralized the attacking impetus of Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani.
Euro 2016
Neuer captained Germany for the first time during Euro 2016, after Bastian Schweinsteiger’s retirement.
He started all six matches, helping Germany reach the semifinals.
Manuel Neuer International Retirement: The Twilight Years
2018 World Cup
Neuer was again Germany’s captain and first-choice goalkeeper for the 2018 World Cup.
However, a poor campaign saw Germany eliminated in the group stage. Neuer’s performances were under scrutiny by fans as the shot-stopper as he was plagued by injuries, and fans looked up to Marc Andre Ter Stegen of Barcelona, as a potential replacement.
Euro 2020
Neuer played all four matches for Germany at Euro 2020, helping them reach the round of 16.
Manuel Neuer International stats: Individual Accolades
Throughout his international career, Neuer has received numerous individual accolades, including:
– Golden Glove winner at the 2014 World Cup
– FIFA World Cup All-Star Team (2014)
– UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament (2012, 2016)
– IFFHS World’s Best Goalkeeper (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)
– UEFA Best Goalkeeper in Europe (2014, 2015, 2020)
Manuel Neuer International Stats: Records and Milestones
Neuer has achieved several records and milestones throughout his international career, including:
– Most appearances by a German goalkeeper (124 caps)
– Most clean sheets in German national team history.
– First German goalkeeper to win the Golden Glove award
– First goalkeeper to win the Golden Glove award and the World Cup in the same tournament (2014)
Final thoughts
Manuel Neuer International retirement and time with the German National team remains one of his legacies.
He would be remembered for his brilliant ball-playing skills, sweeper-keeper abilities, and his dedication to the German National team. He remains the best sweeper-keeper of our time.
However, as he passes the torch to Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, the big question undoubtedly remains;
“Can he fill Manuel Neuer’s shoes and maintain his legacy”?
Do you think he can? Let me know in the comment section.
