- Planet Sport writer
- 21 August 2024
Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer calls time on international career with Germany
Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has announced his retirement from international football.
Manuel Neuer is a German goalkeeper who plays for and captains Bayern Munich and the German national team. Previously, he starred for Schalke 04, having come through their youth system.
Neuer is regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of his generation and perhaps even of all time. He is famous for being a keeper who is unafraid to venture from his own area and play as a "sweeper keeper" of sorts.
Neuer was in goal for Germany when they won the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He has also won the UEFA Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2012/13 and 2019/20, as well as Bundesliga titles in 2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19 and 2019/20.
Bayern legacy
Bayern signed Neuer from Schalke 04 on June 1, 2011. The transfer fee was around €20million.
Initially, some supporters were unhappy with the club for signing the Schalke goalkeeper, with the animosity reportedly stemming from Neuer having mocked legendary Bayern stopper Oliver Kahn's title celebration.
In a friendly in Trentino shortly after joining Bayern, Neuer received a frosty reception from his own club's supporters. A banner read: "You may catch as many balls as you like, but we will never accept you in this shirt."
Bayern subsequently responded to this, releasing a statement via their board of directors on the club's official website which said: "FC Bayern Munich disassociates itself both from the anti-Manuel Neuer banner and the persons in this small group.
"We would further advise that the group in question is extremely small and not registered with FC Bayern.
Manuel Neuer celebrates after Bayern scored against their biggest rivals, Borussia Dortmund, March 6, 2021
"As a consequence of events in Arco [Trentino], the persons in this group are, effective immediately, persona non grata at FC Bayern Munich."
Animosity died down, but Neuer's first Bayern season ended in heartbreak as they finished second to Jurgen Klopp's Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga, were defeated in the DFB-Pokal final 5-2 by the same team, and lost the UEFA Champions League final on penalties to Chelsea following a 1-1 draw.
The following season, Bayern claimed their revenge as they won the Champions League, the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal, securing a treble for Jupp Heynckes' men. To make victory even sweeter, Bayern beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in the UEFA Champions League final.
Heynckes was replaced by Pep Guardiola in 2013 and Bayern were consistently successful under the former Barcelona boss. Under his guidance, Neuer played a key role in three successive Bundesliga title victories, including two Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal doubles (in 2013/14 and 2015/16).
After Guardiola left, Neuer played a key role in the 2016/17 title win under Carlo Ancelotti, but he was kept out of most of Bayern's triumphant 2017/18 campaign by injury. He was made Bayern and Germany captain in 2017 following the retirement of Philipp Lahm.
Bayern were victorious again in 2018/19 with Neuer between the sticks. Then, in 2019/20, after a poor start to the season under Niko Kovac, the Bavarians recovered following the appointment of Hans-Dieter Flick. Bayern and Neuer once again won the treble of the Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League and DFB-Pokal titles.
Bayern beat Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in the Champions League final, having demolished Chelsea and Barcelona among others en route.
Early in the 2020/21 season, Flick suggested that Neuer's form for Bayern was as impressive as ever.
"Manu has been playing sensationally for over a year," he told Sky Sports. "With him, the goal for the striker is getting smaller and smaller.
"He is in the form of his life. He is an insane professional and very focused on his job."
Performances at international level
Neuer made his debut for the German national team on June 2, 2009, against the United Arab Emirates. Following the tragic death of Robert Enke in November 2009, Neuer became Germany's second choice goalkeeper behind Rene Adler.
After Adler was injured, Neuer became Joachim Low's first choice for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
Neuer played all of Germany's World Cup matches apart from the third-place playoff against Uruguay, in which Hans-Jorg Butt featured instead. Germany finished in third place.
There would be more disappointment for Neuer in German colours at Euro 2012, as he was a key player in qualifying and the tournament itself, but Die Mannschaft were eliminated in the semi-finals.
Manuel Neuer lifts the World Cup trophy after German's win over Argentina in the final of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil
Neuer finally picked up silverware with Germany at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where they beat Argentina 1-0 in the final. Neuer won the Golden Glove award for the tournament's best goalkeeper.
The Bayern shot-stopper also featured for Germany in the 2016 European Championships, where they were once again knocked out in the semi-finals. He lined up again at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which ended in a disappointing group stage exit.
National team coach Joachim Low has suggested that Neuer was the best player in the world in 2020.
"Manu's a class apart, really unbelievable," he said, as per the official Bundesliga website.
"He was a big reason why Bayern won the Champions League. Even in the semi-finals, he made two or three big saves. Bayern could have been 1-0 down or pegged back to 1-1 without him against Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain.
"For me, he would be the world player of the year.
"Manu was in superb form throughout the season. The way he conducts himself, the calmness, his presence - you just have the feeling he's always there."
Neuer went into Euro 2020 having just achieved his 37th international clean sheet, brekaing a record set by Sepp Maier. Four days earlier he had won his 100th cap, becoming the first German goalkeeper to achieve that particular milestone.
Euro 2020 itself was not a vintage one for Germany, though, with Neuer starting every match as they were eliminated by England in the round of 16.
Personal life
Neuer looked up to former Germany and Schalke 04 goalkeeper Jens Lehmann.
A known Catholic, Neuer sees his religious beliefs and charity work as two sides of the same coin. He has a charity foundation for children called the Manuel Neuer Kids Foundation.
Midway through the 2011/12 season, Neuer won €500,000 for charity in a special celebrity edition of Wer wird Millionar?, the German version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
Neuer married Nina Weiss in 2017 following a two-year relationship, but they divorced in early 2020. Neuer is now dating Anika Bissel.
Neuer has been a target of homophobic abuse, including by Mexico fans at the 2018 World Cup, having spoken out in support of LGBT+ players coming out of the closet.
Manuel Neuer's net worth
Neuer's precise net worth is unclear, but his gross annual earnings are reported to be in the region of €18million.
