No DFB comeback for Neuer in 2023: But challenge for EM
After his successful comeback at FC Bayern Munich, Manuel Neuer will not yet return to the German national soccer team for the last international matches of this year. The 37-year-old made the announcement on Tuesday following talks with national team coach Julian Nagelsmann and DFB goalkeeping coach Andreas Kronenberg.
"The fact is that I won't be traveling to the national team. There are also medical reasons for this. There are still a lot of games until the winter," said Neuer ahead of Bayern's Champions League match against Galatasaray Istanbul this Wednesday. It will be his first appearance in the Champions League since suffering a serious leg fracture in December 2022.
Neuer has now played two Bundesliga games and a DFB Cup match again. "I'm glad it worked out so well," said the 2014 World Cup winner. Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel called Neuer's comeback performance "sensational" and believes he can not only return to his old level of performance, but also become even better.
After Bayern's 4-0 win in Dortmund last weekend, there was another exchange with the DFB coaching staff, Neuer reported. Former Bayern coach Nagelsmann will announce his squad this Friday for next Saturday's home game against Turkey in Berlin and three days later in Vienna against Austria. It had been expected that a Neuer return would not be an issue until the first international matches in 2024 at the earliest.
Anything else that comes his way after the most serious injury of his career is "a bonus" for him, emphasized Neuer. "I'm happy that I can just play soccer again." Nevertheless, he also wants to get back into action with the DFB team next year. And his goal is not only to be part of the team at the European Championships next June, but also to be in goal again if possible. "No matter which team I play for, I always want to be on the pitch," said the 117-time international clearly.
Marc-André ter Stegen from FC Barcelona is currently the number 1 in the DFB team. During the national team's recent trip to the USA, the 31-year-old also expressed his desire to play in the DFB goal for the first time at a major tournament next year. Neuer has played in every World Cup and European Championship tournament as Germany's No. 1 since 2010.
Despite Manuel Neuer's outstanding performance with FC Bayern Munich in the Champions League, his return to the German national soccer team for the upcoming matches against Turkey and Austria in 2023 seems unlikely. The National team's current first-choice goalkeeper is Marc-André ter Stegen from FC Barcelona.
Source: www.dpa.com
