The Bayern goalkeeper took the field in his fifth World Cup with Curaçao and at forty years old is chasing the record of the Italian captain who lifted the cup in 1982
At a certain point, still in shorts and a t-shirt, surrounded by dozens of reporters with a phone pointed under their chin in search of the headline, Manuel Neuer – the goalkeeper with the reputation of being cold, imperturbable – showed off a beautiful smile. “I have to go, other players are arriving, it’s right to give them space too.” Serene and relaxed after a nice 7-1 against the Pirates of the Caribbean of Curaçao. He had just finished explaining what it was like to return to play for the national team after two years and what it was like to land in America for his fifth World Cup at over 40, chasing the record of Dino Zoff, champion with Italy in 1982. Manuel could equal it. Meanwhile, he became the oldest German to play this event.