Newer debunks the final argument regarding Ter-Stegen
Despite ongoing debates, Manuel Neuer remains the first-choice goalkeeper for the German national football team. The brief goalkeeper controversy prior to the home European Championship has, for now, been resolved, with Neuer, aged 38, expressing his thoughts on the matter.
It's easy to speculate how Marc-André ter Stegen feels. On Friday evening in the bowels of Munich's Allianz Arena, a small window into the emotions of the 32-year-old opened. He was one of the first to make his way to the team bus, his facial expression in stark contrast to the general jubilation of the other DFB stars following their successful 5:1 EM opening win against Scotland.
Perhaps he was simply preoccupied with other thoughts. However, Ter Stegen faces challenging circumstances within the national team and his story is rehashed before every tournament. In all but one team, a world-class goalkeeper would have the starting position. Ironically, this is the one team where he is only the backup. Even during this home European Championship, he will remain on the bench, alongside other substitutes. Regrettably, none of his 40 international matches have been played at a major tournament (the Confederations Cup 2017 is excluded from this count).
The likelihood of this statistic changing soon is too late for the press conference at the DFB headquarters. Manuel Neuer (international matches at eight tournaments) scratches his head first and then discusses the performance of other EM teams after their frenetic 5:1 opener. With a more relaxed demeanor, he looks forward to training ahead of their game against Hungary on Wednesday.
"The Messi of Gloves"
The EM opener against Scotland could have gone better for him. Neuer faced no shots on target, only an own goal by DFB central defender Antonio Rüdiger. The 38-year-old had only 15 ball contacts throughout the entire match, 90% of his passes were completed. For a potential goalkeeper debate, it provided no new insights – neither positive nor negative.
Discussion about the goalkeeper resurfaced for the first time in a long while before the home EM: debates about the goalkeeper. Neuer returned unexpectedly after his serious leg injury. However, his performances for Bayern Munich and the national team raised questions during the season finale. He maintained world-class form, but: there were unusual mistakes against Hoffenheim and Ukraine, as well as against Greece. Since then, he has been observed with a slight air of concern.
Neuer acknowledges the debate, which is primarily driven from outside: "mostly from outside." "I haven't read anything," the 38-year-old explains. Instead, he follows a standard process: an analysis with the relevant individuals, a review of footage. And they all agreed that the trust between the team, trainers, and him still persists.
Regardless, there would have been enough arguments at least for a small goalkeeper debate – especially since the second goalkeeper is named ter Stegen. The backup goalkeeper at FC Barcelona is undisputed there, and was once famously referred to as "The Messi of Gloves." In 2023, he was named Spain's Footballer of the Year – not Goalkeeper of the Year, but Footballer of the Year. His statistical values were superior to those of Manuel Neuer in the previous season. In the league, this equates to a higher percentage of saved crosses, more saved shots, a better pass success rate.
Statistics Don't Matter
In a football world where everything is measured, and statistics now play a role even on the coach's benches, wouldn't that be an argument at least? Neuer doesn't see it that way, quite the opposite. "For me, the images are interesting and not the statistics, because every situation needs to be assessed individually," he says. And: "That's why I can't take the statistics as a benchmark for evaluating a goalkeeper." Even the last ter Stegen argument is discredited.
He reluctantly accepts his role. At the beginning of the EM preparation, ter Stegen explained that it was an unpleasant situation. "But the trainer has made a decision. I respect and accept it, even if I have a different opinion," ter Stegen said then. Among the goalkeepers, the relationship is good. "That has nothing to do with Manu, we have the same position," ter Stegen continued. "But on a personal level, there's nothing to do with him. We have a good relationship. Even if we're both fighting for the same goal, that doesn't mean I don't like him."
However, there is no one in the DFB camp who is even considering a serious goalkeeper debate. National team coach Julian Nagelsmann made it clear early on, and national team director Rudi Völler intervened to end any debate. Neuer does have one advantage: his reputation among players and the trainer team. In the games, one can often see him running to Nagelsmann and discussing with him when the ball is out of play for a while. Even if the captain is Ilkay Gündogan, Neuer's opinion still carries weight.
Alrighty then, ol' ter Stegen stays our last ditch. Neuer's at 38 now, giving us ponderings if the Home-EM is his swan song. Neuer kept the reply vague, saying he'll mull it over. The 2026 World Cup's happening in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, and if it goes down, Neuer would be 40—his ninth tourney. ter Stegen would still be fresh, newbie-like on the block. There's a handful of Home-EM matches left though, maybe some scores settling in the keeper row could pop up.
