Neuer, 38, made his debut for Germany in 2009 and won the World Cup in 2014. His last game for the national team was the 2-1 extra-time loss to eventual champion Spain in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024. Neuer said he was “tempted” by the prospect of staying for the 2026 World Cup but decided against it after speaking to family and friends. That could open the door for Barcelona’s Marc-André ter Stegen, who has played for Germany 40 times but never at a major tournament, to take over as starting goalkeeper.
“I feel very good physically and would of course have been very tempted by the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. At the same time, I am convinced that now is the right time to take this step and fully concentrate on the future at FC Bayern Munich,” Neuer said in a statement.
Neuer is the second senior German player to retire from international football this week after midfielder Ilkay Gündogan, who captained the team at Euro 2024. He cited fatigue and the pressures of a busy club and international schedule in his statement on Monday.
Striker Thomas Müller retired from the national team last month and midfielder Toni Kroos retired from all football when Germany exited Euro 2024. (‘Welcome to LaLiga’, fans react after Kylian Mbappé’s goal failed on his debut and Real Madrid draw 1-1 against Mallorca)
Coach Julian Nagelsmann had already indicated he would look to re-energise the German squad, which had the highest average age of any squad at Euro 2024, with an eye on the 2026 World Cup. Germany’s next games are in the Nations League at home to Hungary on Sept. 7 and away to the Netherlands three days later.
At his peak, Neuer helped change what it meant to be a modern goalkeeper, with his emphasis on playing higher up the pitch and taking a key role in early attacks. Nagelsmann, who also coached Neuer at Bayern between 2021 and 2023, praised Neuer’s influence on football as a whole.
“Although I can understand Manu’s decision and his reasons, his departure is a great loss, both in sporting and personal terms,” said Nagelsmann. “Manu shaped goalkeeping like no one else in the history of football.”
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