Will he return to the national team?
Goretzka comments on a possible Neuer comeback
November 13, 2025 – 12:13 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
The goalkeeper situation in the German national team remains uncertain before the 2026 World Cup. Leon Goretzka has now commented on a possible return of Manuel Neuer.
Leon Goretzka does not expect Manuel Neuer to return to goal for the German national team for next year’s World Cup. When asked whether his long-time teammate would play for the DFB again with a view to the World Cup, Goretzka answered very cautiously: “Manu has ended his career as a national goalkeeper, so I don’t think he’ll be there now.”
DFB sports director Rudi Völler is said to have asked Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer about a comeback to the national team, just in case. The “Bild” newspaper recently reported this. The 2014 world champion could therefore become an issue if Marc-André ter Stegen, who is currently out of action at FC Barcelona due to back surgery, does not return as a regular goalkeeper and gain the necessary match practice.
Most recently, Völler emphasized in the TV program “Sky 90 – the football debate” that Neuer’s return was not currently an issue. Nevertheless, he understands the discussion. Völler made it clear that Ter Stegen would have to play again after his return in order to be number one at next year’s World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Ter Stegen is currently represented in the DFB team by Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann.
Neuer himself put a stop to speculation a few weeks ago. “But the fact is that I have decided not to play for the national team anymore,” said the 39-year-old on Sky after FC Bayern’s 5-0 win against Hamburger SV. When asked whether this decision would definitely stick, the 2014 world champion answered without hesitation: “Yes.”