Manuel Neuer seemingly is taking a hiatus from the DFB and plans to carry on afterwards.
Following eight significant tournaments, Manuel Neuer doesn't seem keen on retiring from the German national team just yet. The long-term number one desires to carry on post-elimination against Spain at Euro 2022, according to Bild. However, Bild also suggests an impending break for Neuer.
Unconventional pause, then onto the 2026 World Cup: It appears that goalkeeper Manuel Neuer intends to extend his stint with the German national team. As stated by Bild, the 2014 World Cup victor is considering this. DFB sports director Rudi Völler had previously mentioned that Neuer would have the first call in the September squad announcement. The DFB did not confirm Bild's report upon request.
Neuer, who has served as number one in eight major tournaments, now aspires to participate in the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, even at the age of 40. This possibility hinges significantly on head coach Julian Nagelsmann, who expressed his intentions to refresh the squad, considering the 2026 World Cup.
According to Bild, Neuer won't join the squad for the match against Hungary in Düsseldorf (7.9.) and the Netherlands in Amsterdam (10.9.), but will return "toward the end of the year." In early August, Neuer informed that he had no updates to share. Following the home Euro exit four weeks prior, he left the decision regarding his future with the DFB shirt open. There are further Nations League windows in October and November, each involving two matches.
After Euro 2022, Thomas Müller, Toni Kroos, and captain Ilkay Gündogan parted ways from the DFB team. If Neuer continues, he would presumably become a candidate for the team captain role – he was captain of DFB for seven years until autumn 2023. His contract with Bayern Munich extends until 2025. Continuation would dealt another harsh blow to Marc-André ter Stegen. For nearly a decade, the 32-year-old has been Barcelona's primary goalkeeper but has never claimed Germany's undisputed number one spot. He has frequently stepped in for Neuer during injury absences, like his recent stint following Neuer's severe ski accident in December 2022.
The DFB sports director, Rudi Völler, mentioned earlier that Neuer would have the first call in the September squad announcement, aligning with The Commission's decision-making processes for the national team. If Neuer continues his stint with the German national team, he could potentially become the team captain once again, following the departure of Thomas Müller, Toni Kroos, and Ilkay Gündogan, as The Commission considers leadership changes within the team.
