Manuel Neuer is done with the German national team. For real this time.
The 40-year-old goalkeeper confirmed his second retirement from international soccer after Germany’s stunning penalty shootout loss to Paraguay in the World Cup round of 16. The game ended 1-1 after extra time, and Paraguay won 4-3 on penalties.
When asked by German broadcaster Sportschau if this was truly the end, Neuer didn’t dance around it. He just said, “Yes.” Then he told Magenta TV, “No. It’s very bitter to end it like this.”
A bizarre comeback that backfired
Neuer had already walked away from the national team after Euro 2024. He said he was done. Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann took over as Germany’s No. 1 and played through World Cup qualifiers and friendlies. But coach Julian Nagelsmann had second thoughts.
Despite both Neuer and Nagelsmann denying any comeback was happening, the rumors kept swirling. Eventually Nagelsmann pulled the trigger and brought Neuer back, demoting Baumann right before the tournament. It was a gamble that looked bad the second Germany crashed out in the first knockout round.
Neuer is the last man standing from the 2014 World Cup-winning squad. He earned 128 caps for Germany since his debut in 2009. That era is officially over now.
How the loss went down
Paraguay struck first in the first half through Julio Enciso. Kai Havertz equalized with a header after halftime. Germany thought they’d won it in extra time when Jonathan Tah headed home from a corner, but VAR called it back for a foul on the Paraguay keeper.
The shootout was brutal. Neuer saved Fabian Balbuena’s penalty, which should have been huge. But Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Tah all missed from the spot. That was it. Paraguay celebrated a historic win, and Germany packed their bags.
Neuer will keep playing for Bayern Munich. He signed a contract extension last month and has been with the club since 2011. His trophy case is ridiculous — 13 Bundesliga titles, two Champions League trophies and that 2014 World Cup winners’ medal. He’s got nothing left to prove at the club level.
But international soccer? He’s done. For good this time.
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