GERMANY GOALKEEPER MANUEL Neuer has announced his retirement from international duty.
Neuer represented his nation 124 times and was a key figure in their 2014 World Cup success in Brazil.
The Bayern Munich stopper also captained Germany 61 times, but insisted the time was right to focus on club football.
“After long and intensive discussions with my family and friends, I have decided to end my career in the national team,” Neuer said.
“Everyone who knows me knows that this decision was not an easy one for me. I feel very good physically and of course the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico would have been very appealing to me.
“At the same time, I am convinced that now is exactly the right time to take this step and to concentrate fully on FC Bayern Munich in the future.
“I would like to thank everyone I have gotten to know and appreciate over the past 15 years – my coaches Joachim Low, Hansi Flick and Julian Nagelsmann, the goalkeeping coaches Andreas Kopke and Andreas Kronenberg, the assistant coaches, my teammates, the medical department, all staff members and employees of the DFB.
“I would also like to say a very special thank you to the fans of the national team who have always supported me over all these years!
“It was a great time that shaped me and of which I am very proud. Winning the World Cup in 2014 and the special atmosphere during the European Championships at home this year are highlights for which I am extremely grateful.
“It was an honour for me to be captain of our national team until 2023. I loved wearing the jersey of the German national team.”
Neuer was handed his international debut in 2009 by Low and the 38-year-old went on to break numerous records but has become the fourth Germany player to retire since Euro 2024 with Ilkay Gundogan, Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller also quitting national team duty.
Nagelsmann added: “Even though I can understand Manu’s decision and his motives, his departure is a great loss – both in sporting and human terms.
“Manu shaped goalkeeping like no other in the history of football. With his saves, his opening play and his charisma, he was more than just a support for the national team for almost a decade and a half.
“His skills were a decisive factor in the idea of how we want to play football. Manu was and is a great athlete and a great, good guy.
“I often and happily sought out conversations with him and I am pleased that I can continue to do so in the future. We will miss Manu in the national team!”
Footballer of the year is injured?
Lots of guys ask not to be picked. Same every time hence why cavanagh etc always gets picked as we don’t av enough hard lads to go.
Yes. He is having an op on his shoulder.
Probably should have included Conor McGregor.
Looks like there was a deliberate attempt to pick as many from different counties as possible?
Should be Interesting this year as Australia are playing their equivalent of the Gaa All-Stars.. Will be more competitive this year no doubt.
Competition is dead in the water when the footballer of the year has absolutely no interest in it. One player from Kerry what a joke.
In fairness I’m sure there are players with work/study/family commitments.
some players are still involved with there clubs.
Thought John Heslin would be involved. Fairly suited to this. And Ciaran Sheehan if he was interested
Diarmuid Connolly and O’Gara would have surly made it more entertaining!!!
No Zac Toughy …..is he injured??
Think he opted out. Focus is on preseason training with his AFL club.
Connolly is still involved with his club as is Donaghy and I think Walsh. McAuley is out for a couple of months with an injury.
Dead in the water when we have fair weather supporters like you George, must not of been on front page media for yea to follow.
Best of luck to them
Loads of first choice irish missing. Paul Flynn, Diarmuid Connelly, MD McAuley James O’Donaghue, Kieran Donaghy, Kieran McKeever, Brian Hurley, Shane Walsh, Ciaran Sheehan, Donnacha Walsh to name a few. Pity cause if the Aussies win this well the fact that this is mostly a second / third string irish side will no doubt be completely over looked.
They’ll start their usual chest beating and we’ll start bemoaning the poor state of gaelic football..
One player picked from the all Ireland champions shows just what a sham this competition is.
It has lost a lot of its appeal over the years, 15 years ago it filled croker twice, last year, the combined crowd for the 2 games was around 60k. I was at it last year, it was just OK
Needs more Kerrymen. Definitely.
Wished Paul Flynn was picked obviously something going on that he couldn’t commit to it, Cian O Sullivan could have got it as well so could Frank McGlynn and Karl Lacey, Paul Cribbin (if he’s fit) Lee Chin, Paddy McBrearty and Tomas O Connor, possibly Cormac Costello and Jack Mcaffrey
I can’t believe they didnt include Ger Loughnane . WTF??
Only one player from Dublin…. Jack McCaffrey. He’s fast but I wouldn’t have thought he had the physical presence for international?
It’s James McCarthy not Jack McCaffrey.
Aussies are talking it up this year, lots of advertising for the game! They have a pretty strong team this year!
Not hearing anything about it in Melbourne.
Must only be in WA then because they want a crowd at the game!!!
WA cos that’s where most of the Irish are. If the Aussies had any real interest in it the games would be in Melbourne! It’s dead in the water here. I don’t know one AFL supporter with any interest in it!
End this nonsense…. No one cares