The German national team is undergoing a lot of change at the moment. Despite good runs at Euro 2024 and the past Nations League campaign, many believe that the team is still not good enough to challenge for the World Cup next year. As a result, there have been reports of squad changes in recent weeks, and one of the most intriguing ones came out just now. According to Bild’s Christian Falk and Tobi Altschäffl, DFB sporting director Rudi Völler has asked Bayern Munich captain Manuel Neuer if he would be open to returning to the national team.
Neuer retired from international duty following last year’s Euros, and Marc-André ter Stegen took over the No. 1 spot for the national team. However, repeated injuries have prevented Ter Stegen from cementing his place, and he now faces another lengthy spell on the sidelines after a back operation, around five months. This would almost certainly completely rule him out of the World Cup qualifiers, which start next month.
While national coach Julian Nagelsmann had declared his trust in Ter Stegen a few weeks ago, and Neuer himself had claimed he is not currently thinking about the national team (to SAT.1, as captured by@iMiaSanMia), Bild reports that Neuer is still keeping the door open a crack. Even the national players are said to be discussing the idea of Neuer coming back. However, a comeback will probably not happen right away, as Bild says that Neuer will be monitoring the situation until next March. So it is unlikely that fans will see Neuer don the federal eagle in the World Cup qualifiers.
Meanwhile, Neuer’s longstanding teammate and fellow Bayern and Germany legend Thomas Müller also shared his thoughts on the matter to Sport Bild, saying “If Manuel is fit by then and is in goal for FC Bayern as I know him to be, then I absolutely believe he’s capable of taking on the role of Germany’s number one at the 2026 World Cup.”
Neuer has had a wealth of success with the national team, with his crowning moment coming in July 2014, when he lifted the World Cup in Rio de Janeiro.