With Toni Kroos, Ilkay Gündogan, and Thomas Müller announcing their retirement from the national team this summer, three long-standing DFB stars have stepped away. There has also been speculation about Manuel Neuer’s future, suggesting that he may want to focus solely on his remaining years at FC Bayern following the home European Championship.
However, unlike Kroos and the others, Neuer does not seem to feel that the time has come to bid farewell to the DFB team. According to Bild, the 38-year-old has decided to continue his career with the national team – Neuer is eyeing the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico!
Update: Contrary to the report in Bild, Neuer has officially announced his retirement from the DFB team.
Of course, national coach Julian Nagelsmann could decide to implement the overhaul initiated by Kroos, Müller, and Gündogan even in goal. However, considering Neuer’s significant contributions, it seems unlikely that the DFB would voluntarily forgo him in the future. It is no coincidence that DFB sports director Rudi Völler stated just on Sunday in the Sport1-Doppelpass that Neuer deserves to “have the first say on how things will continue”.
Marc-André ter Stegen, who has been hoping for a place in the DFB goal for years, would then have to wait at least another two years. However, the Barça keeper can look forward to playing time at the upcoming international matches in September: According to Bild, Neuer has decided to sit out the upcoming international break. Afterwards, he will once again be available for the remaining national matches this year.