Neuer ennobles teammates
“For me he is an absolute asset”
June 18, 2026 – 10:01 p.mReading time: 3 minutes
After the opening victory at the World Cup, Manuel Neuer gives an insight into his DFB return. He also talks about his relationship with Oliver Baumann – and a clarifying conversation before the start of the tournament.
William Laing reports from the DFB headquarters in Winston-Salem
It was probably the national coach’s most controversial decision Julian Nagelsmann before the World Cup: the return of Manuel Neuer to the German national team. The Bayern goalkeeper actually ended his career in the DFB team in 2024. Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann should at the WM are number one between the posts in the USA, Canada and Mexico. But Nagelsmann changed his mind shortly before the start of the tournament and ordered Neuer back into the team.
On Thursday, four days after the furious 7-1 opening win against Curaçao, the 2014 world champion gave an insight into his return. Neuer explained at a press conference at the DFB headquarters in Winston-Salem that he discussed with Nagelsmann, among other things, his calf injury in the spring. It was about “how I feel and then whether I train regularly, whether I need to take breaks somehow, whether I’m able to play through it for a tournament,” he continued.
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Neuer made it clear that he could no longer name the exact time when he decided to make a comeback. “I think it just developed that way, even after this difficult phase when I was injured,” he emphasized and then provided at least a partial reason for Nagelsmann’s return campaign. “Then it has to do with my performances and how I came back from the injury on the biggest stage in club football.”
Neuer about Baumann: “We have a good relationship”
For Oliver Baumann, Neuer’s return was a serious blow. The former DFB captain assured that the relationship between the two goalkeepers did not put a strain on the situation. “We work together every day and have a good relationship.” You have to support each other, especially on the pitch.
In the video | DFB star explains controversial scene
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Neuer also revealed that a clarifying exchange had already taken place between him and Baumann during tournament preparation. “After we got together in Herzogenaurach, we talked to each other for a long time and talked about the whole development and how it came about,” he reported. Both of them “found really open words”. Neuer also found praise for his replacement’s performance. Baumann “did an outstanding job” during the qualification.