Honest words
DFB captain Kimmich takes a stand in the Neuer debate
May 29, 2026 – 3:45 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
The national team captain takes a clear stance on the Manuel Neuer debate. But it is also aimed at Oliver Baumann.
National team captain Joshua Kimmich clearly supported Manuel Neuer at the press conference in Herzogenaurach. “Manu is the best goalkeeper of all time, is still one of the best goalkeepers in the world,” said the 31-year-old. The debate about the 40-year-old Bayern keeper is “too negative.”
National coach Julian Nagelsmann brought Neuer back into the national team after two years – for the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. The decision only became public after the last Bundesliga matchday. There was criticism, among other things, of Nagelsmann’s communication. Neuer pushed Oliver Baumann onto the bench – even though Nagelsmann had initially earmarked the Hoffenheim player as number one for the World Cup.
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Kimmich expressed understanding for Baumann: “I would be disappointed if he hadn’t been disappointed.” At the press conference, the captain also emphasized: “The discussion cannot be purely sporting because we as Germany want to have the best players there.” Baumann is “ready” behind Neuer.
Neuer will miss the test match on Sunday (from 8:45 p.m. in the live ticker on t-online) in Mainz against Finland due to a hardened calf. Baumann represents him. Another test follows on June 6th in Chicago against the USA.
In the video | She has been at Joshua Kimmich’s side for years
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Kimmich: “We shouldn’t think about titles”
Kimmich does not see the DFB team as favorites for the title. The captain said: “We shouldn’t think about the final or the title now. Somewhere it’s a dream and a goal that everyone has in their head. But that doesn’t move us forward at the beginning of the tournament, we should think about the way we want to play football.”
Germany starts the tournament on June 14th in Houston against Curaçao. Other group opponents are Ivory Coast on June 20th in Toronto and Ecuador on June 25th in East Rutherford.
