Manuel Neuer is back. The 40-year-old Bayern Munich goalkeeper has reversed his international retirement and been named Germany’s starting keeper for the World Cup by head coach Julian Nagelsmann.
The move caught plenty off guard since Nagelsmann had long backed Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann as his first-choice option. But when it came to finalizing the 26-man squad, the Germany manager reached out to Neuer directly and asked if he wanted back in. Neuer said yes.
Nagelsmann confirmed Neuer is the undisputed number one, saying the goal was simply to pick the three best goalkeepers available, and Neuer made that cut. The head coach also made Germany’s World Cup ambitions crystal clear, stating the team is targeting the title.
Neuer’s World Cup return puts one of football’s greatest ever goalkeepers back on the biggest stage, and Germany fans are fully here for it.
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