'Aura' and 'quality': Neuer returns into Germany team for World Cup
Former captain Manuel Neuer has come out of international retirement and will be Germany's first choice goalkeeper at the World Cup as coach Julian Nagelsmann praised his "aura" and "quality. " Bayern Munich's Neuer, 40, originally retired from the national team in 2024 after 15 years and 124 caps highlighted by the 2014 World Cup title. He renewed his Bayern contract by another year last weekend and was now recalled by Nagelsmann into a 26-player squad on Thursday, mainly because his first choice successor Marc-André ter Stegen is injured.
Hoffenheim's Oliver Baumann played in all qualifiers and appeared to be first choice for the World Cup as well but the former long-time team captain Neuer has much more experience at big events. VfB Stuttgart's Alexander Nübel is the third keeper and Neuer's Munich deputy Jonas Urbig will also travel as a non-squad member. "Everyone knows about Manu's aura, the quality he has, what he gives the team.
He is without doubt among the three best goalkeepers in the country. We plan with him as number one," Nagelsmann said it the squad presentation at the German FA academy in Frankfurt. The June 11-July 19 tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada will be the fifth World Cup for the veteran Neuer.
Nagelsmann admitted that the decision was "a blow" for Baumann and said he informed him in March that he was in contact with Neuer about a possible return. He said there could be a scenario that Neuer, who has been nursing calf problems lately, can't play and that Baumann would be ready. While Neuer returns there was no place in the squad for Cologne teenager Said El Mala, the Stuttgart duo of Chris Führich and Angelo Stiller or AC Milan striker Niclas Füllkrug.
But Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz from Premier League champions Arsenal have recovered in time from long-term injuries and are set to be starters. Lennart Karl is the youngest player at age 18 after a breakthrough season and among seven players from Bundesliga champions Bayern, led by Germany captain Joshua Kimmich. Kimmich was among 12 players named on the German Football Federation (DFB) website in videos, released earlier in the day in 30-minute intervals in which friends, family members and Nagelsmann featured.