Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to retire from international football after World Cup exit

Manuel Neuer announced his intention to retire from international football for the second time following Germany’s exit from the World Cup.

The 40-year-old Bayern Munich goalkeeper confirmed after the last-32 defeat to Paraguay that he had played his final game for the national team.

Neuer first retired from international duty in August 2024 after Germany were eliminated by Spain in the quarter-finals of the 2024 European Championship. However, he reversed his original decision in May when Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann recalled him for the World Cup and restored him as the national team’s first-choice goalkeeper.

When asked by German broadcaster ARD after the loss to Paraguay whether it had been his final game for Germany, Neuer replied: “Yes.”

Germany lost the last-32 tie to Paraguay 4-3 on penalties after the match finished 1-1 following extra time. Neuer saved Fabian Balbuena’s penalty in the shootout as Paraguay missed their first two opportunities to win the contest, before he was beaten by Jose Canale’s decisive spot kick.

Neuer won 128 caps for Germany after making his senior debut in 2009. His comeback to the national team set-up was confirmed just over three weeks before Germany’s opening World Cup match against Curacao and followed repeated denials that he would return. Neuer had described his retirement as irreversible and publicly backed Oliver Baumann, Germany’s number one in his absence.

Neuer missed Germany’s final warm-up matches because of a left calf injury and was unconvincing at times during the group stages, including being at fault for Gonzalo Plata’s winning goal in a 2-1 defeat by Ecuador in their final group game, although Germany had already secured top spot in Group E before the loss.

His return followed a season in which he helped Bayern win the Bundesliga title and reach the Champions League semi-finals. He has captained the club since 2017.

Neuer made his senior Germany debut against the United Arab Emirates in June 2009 and appeared at five successive World Cups from 2010 to 2026.

He helped Germany win the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, kept a clean sheet in the final against Argentina and received the Golden Glove as the tournament’s best goalkeeper.

He captained Germany from 2016 to 2023 and was the country’s oldest international during the 2026 tournament.