One last last rodeo?!
Bayern Munich’s timeless keeper Manuel Neuer may not be done with the German men’s national team after all.
From Sport Bild, as captured via @iMiaSanMia:
Manuel Neuer returning to the national team for next year’s World Cup is a possible scenario if Marc-André ter Stegen fails to rediscover his best form after his injury. Neuer had initially wanted to take a break from the national team, but his contract situation at Bayern at the time ( contract until summer 2025), ‘forced’ him to retire because there were no guarantees he would still be playing football next season. Now after his renewal, that scenario is possible again. During the talks with the DFB leadership before his retirement, it was made clear by both sides that the door would never be closed for Manuel Neuer if there was a need for a goalkeeper at the 2026 World Cup [@BILD]
BFW Analysis
“Did you miss me?”
Neuer must be relishing this opportunity to get back in the national team and do what Toni Kroos did at EURO 2024 — have one last go, a swan song of a tournament after his club retirement. That’s assuming he hangs it up after 2025/26 for Bayern Munich, too.
Ter Stegen is no slouch but — pardon the Bavarian bias — he does not have that Manu aura either. If he’s to ever get his national team chance he may need some of Neuer’s longevity potion. The next generation of German keepers, from Bayern’s own Jonas Urbig to SC Freiburg’s Noah Atubolu, is rising.
