Manuel Neuer's heartfelt plea to the German football team
Following his departure from the national team, Manuel Neuer signs off on a significant chapter. He elucidates the reasons behind his decision in a heartfelt letter.
Manuel Neuer, the renowned German football goalkeeper, penned an intimate missive to his followers following his retirement from the national team on the online platform, "The Players' Tribune". Normally reticent about his personal life, Neuer explains, "I don't usually do this, I'm quite a private guy." However, feeling compelled to share more than just an Instagram post after announcing his decision to hang up his DFB jersey, he felt it necessary to delve into the profound meaning Germany and football hold in his life.
Neuer, now 38 years old and a winner of the 2014 World Cup, his letter is filled with poignant reflections on the past months after his leg injury, his triumphant return to the pitch, and his participation in the home Euro tournament. "Getting selected to join the squad for the tournament was one of the most proud moments of my life," he writes, referring to it as a "small miracle" that touched his heart. On Wednesday, he formally announced his decision to call it a day after 124 international matches.
In the wake of the tournament, Neuer experienced an abundance of positive emotions during his vacation. "The emotional part of me yearned to carry on," he writes. Yet, if he had persevered, it would have been with the aim of participating in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. At that event, he would have been 40 years old. "I'm feeling fantastic in my body at the moment, but no one can anticipate the future," Neuer acknowledges. Over several discussions with close friends and family, he realized, "This is the right time."
With this decision, Neuer can now devote himself fully to Bayern Munich. "At 38, I still harbor this childlike enthusiasm for the game. If I see a ball lying twenty meters away, I just gotta run up and engage with it, be it clearing the ball, heading it... something," Neuer shares. He promises that he'll hang up his boots only on the day when the passion no longer burns within him. Neuer concludes with a heartfelt thank you to his supporters, "Thank you for everything. Your Goalkeeper - Manu."
Neuer, despite his passion for soccer with Bayern Munich, decided not to participate in the 2026 World Cup due to his age, expressing, "I don't want to play soccer without the same intensity and love I've always had for the game." After announcing his retirement from the national team, Manuel Neuer showed his gratitude towards his fans, stating, "I want to thank every single one of you for your support throughout my amazing soccer journey."
