With a faint “yes” to the question of whether it was his last appearance with the eagle on his chest, Manuel Neuer’s return to the national team came to a close. This return was expected to last much longer—ideally until the final in New York on July 19—but concluded three weeks earlier after the embarrassment of a World Cup knockout against Paraguay. This leaves one pondering whether this comeback and the turmoil it created were truly necessary. Ultimately, it seemed an undignified interlude for the former world-class goalkeeper.
Neuer’s Saved Penalty Falls Short Against Paraguay
In fact, Neuer managed to save a penalty during the shootout that briefly brought the DFB squad back into the game following missed attempts from Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade. However, the miss from Tah ultimately proved irretrievable, and in the 120 minutes prior, Neuer noted that the German team failed to effectively breach Paraguay’s defense, stating, “It’s extremely bitter to end like this.”
Nagelsmann Lured Neuer Back for His ‘Aura’
Interestingly, Neuer had already retired from international duty once before. Following the home Euro 2024, he echoed similar sentiments despite sustained injuries. This time, however, it was the 41st-ranked team, Paraguay, that ended his tournament. DFB coach Julian Nagelsmann convinced Neuer to return, claiming the 40-year-old exuded a special “aura.” This led to the demotion of Oliver Baumann, who had been the clear number one during qualifiers. Despite Baumann’s professionalism in accepting the downgrade, this choice stirred unrest among fans and players alike.
Neuer Could Not Reinforce the German Defense
Nagelsmann believed that Neuer would bring more stability to the defense than Baumann. In hindsight, it’s questionable how things might have turned out with Baumann at the helm. Although Neuer missed the test match against the USA due to calf issues, Baumann demonstrated excellent goalkeeping. Ultimately, Neuer failed to keep a clean sheet in any of the matches at the tournament—remarkably, this streak stretches back to the 2014 final, which Germany won.
While Neuer hasn’t made glaring errors in recent games, many experts felt he was partly at fault for the winning goal scored by Ecuador. Against Paraguay, his defensive line notably faltered, particularly during the concession of the goal. Neuer’s presence did not radiate the assurance of bygone days, and at 40 years old, opposing players seemed to show less respect than before, when Neuer’s mere presence was enough to intimidate strikers.
Neuer’s Contributions Are Undeniable
In conclusion, Neuer’s return ends on a disappointing note, but it should not overshadow his contributions to the DFB. His role in Germany’s World Cup victory in Rio de Janeiro was largely instrumental; without “Manu, the Libero,” the team might have faced early elimination in the knockout stages. He was subsequently named World Goalkeeper of the Year.
From 2010 until his retirement in 2024, Neuer was a constant figure in goal. After suffering a leg fracture post the disastrous 2022 World Cup, where Germany exited in the group stage, he fought hard to reclaim his position in the national team.
Alas, ending his career with yet another early exit feels beneath someone of Neuer’s caliber. A third comeback seems implausible this time around.
