Football

Bayern Munich's legendary goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, has expressed his intention to continue playing beyond the current season, despite his recent retirement from international football. Neuer's contract with Bayern expires at the end of the campaign, but he remains committed to the club and is eager to extend his stay.In an interview with German sports magazine Kicker, Neuer stated, "I'm not going into this season with the idea of saying goodbye afterwards... If we successfully complete the season with the new coaching team and with new momentum, that means I'll be having fun. And if it's fun, I'll definitely carry on."The 38-year-old goalkeeper announced his retirement from the German national team earlier this week, citing his desire to focus on his club career. Neuer believes he can still perform at the highest level and is determined to help Bayern achieve success in the upcoming season."Of course there's a bit of sadness with the decision, but at the same time there's a lot of relief," said Neuer, who won the 2014 World Cup with Germany.Discussions regarding a contract extension with Bayern are yet to take place, but Neuer is confident that an agreement will be reached in due time. "The time will come," he said.Alexander Nuebel, who is currently on loan at Stuttgart, is seen as the potential successor to Neuer at Bayern. However, Neuer remains the undisputed number one goalkeeper for the Bavarian giants and is determined to maintain his position.Neuer joined Bayern from Schalke in 2011 and has since become one of the most successful goalkeepers in the club's history. He has won 11 Bundesliga titles, two Champions League titles, and numerous other trophies with Bayern.The Allianz Arena, Bayern's home stadium, will host the final of this season's Champions League, providing Neuer with an opportunity to add another major trophy to his impressive collection.Neuer's decision to continue playing beyond this season is a testament to his unwavering passion for the game and his commitment to Bayern Munich. The German goalkeeper remains one of the best in the world and will be a key figure for Bayern in their pursuit of domestic and European glory.

Manuel Neuer, the legendary German goalkeeper who lifted the 2014 World Cup trophy, has bid farewell to international football at the age of 38. With 124 caps and 61 appearances as captain, Neuer leaves an indelible mark on the German national team.His final international outing came in the heartbreaking quarter-final defeat to Spain at Euro 2024. Despite the disappointment, Neuer's legacy remains untarnished. He was the undisputed star of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, earning the Golden Glove award as Germany triumphed for the fourth time.Neuer's decision to retire was not made lightly. After consulting with his family and holding extensive discussions with Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann, he concluded that the time was right to step away from international duty."I was tempted to play until the 2026 World Cup, but I am convinced that now is the right time to take this step," Neuer wrote on social media. "I want to concentrate fully on playing for Bayern Munich."Neuer's Bayern career has been equally illustrious. He has won two Champions League titles and 11 Bundesliga crowns with the Bavarian giants. This season's Champions League final will be played at Munich's Allianz Arena, providing Neuer with a fitting stage to showcase his brilliance.Despite a serious leg injury sustained in a skiing accident in December 2022, Neuer returned to the Germany squad in time for Euro 2024. He reclaimed his starting spot and played a pivotal role in the team's run to the quarter-finals."It was a great time which shaped me and of which I am very proud," Neuer said. "Winning the World Cup title in 2014 and the special atmosphere during the European Championship at home this year are highlights for which I am extremely grateful."Neuer's retirement follows in the footsteps of fellow 2014 World Cup winners Thomas Mueller and Toni Kroos, who both announced their international retirements after Euro 2024. Current Germany captain Ilkay Gundogan has also stepped down from international duty.Neuer's departure leaves a void in the German goalkeeping ranks. Marc Andre ter Stegen of Barcelona is expected to take over as the number one goalkeeper, having served as Neuer's long-time backup.

With a combined age of 106, Germany's three remaining 2014 World Cup winners, Manuel Neuer, Thomas Mueller, and Toni Kroos, are leading the hosts' charge for Euro 2024 glory. Off the pitch, they are close friends, but on the field, they are the only players in the 26-man squad to have each played over 100 games for Germany.Not only are they the most experienced members of the squad, but they also carry the weight of a nation's expectations. Since a semi-final elimination to France at Euro 2016, Germany has struggled in major tournaments, with two World Cup group stage exits bookending a last 16 elimination by England at Euro 2020.However, after a 5-1 romp against Scotland in the tournament opener, their best performance at a major tournament for almost a decade, Germany's golden oldies are hoping for a successful last dance on home soil.While the exploits of Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, both 21, stationed either side of the 25-year-old Kai Havertz, have dominated highlights reels, Germany has gone with an experienced squad for the Euros. With an average age of 28.5, Germany's squad is the oldest at the tournament, with 10 of the 26 members aged 30 or older.Germany's starting XI against Scotland on Friday was the oldest they have fielded at a tournament since Euro 2000, when Lothar Matthaeus led them onto the pitch against Romania. Neuer, 38, is two years older than coach Julian Nagelsmann. Kroos and Mueller are both 34 -- a year older than captain Ilkay Gundogan.Gundogan made his Germany debut in 2011 but missed out as Germany lifted the World Cup in Brazil in 2014 with a back injury. Neuer's first Germany cap was in June 2009, while Mueller and Kroos made their debuts in the same match nine months later.Kroos, who has confirmed he will end his career at the end of the tournament, had retired from international duty in 2021 but came back with a Euro 2024 win in mind. And Kroos has undoubtedly been the most impressive of the three, showcasing his calmness and control against Scotland.Despite being under fire for some pre-tournament mistakes, Neuer remains a calming presence between the sticks and is still an excellent distributor of the ball. Mueller's playing peak may be behind him, but few are better at bringing a diverse cohort together.When announcing the Euro 2024 squad, Nagelsmann named Mueller "a connector" who "can link the rappers with the yodellers" in the squad. The veteran forward seems to be doing his part at Germany's camp in the Bavarian village of Herzogenaurach. Neuer lauded the "mood and the atmosphere within the camp", saying "there's just a really good, colourful mix in our team".Neuer said he was "happy to hang out" with the younger squad members, joking that he can "hear conversations that are perhaps a little different to those with Toni Kroos or Thomas Mueller".Speaking on Monday, Neuer said the trio "bring a very good perspective" to the squad. "We've already experienced a lot together. We've had times with good or bad first games and at the beginning you don't always know where you stand."Neuer said they would make sure Germany "keep our feet on the ground" despite blowing Scotland off the park. "I think the relationship between us is simply very good and has been over the years too. "But we don't just get on well off the pitch, we're also fine characters on the pitch who always give everything to the team. "Even if someone isn't playing, like Thomas isn't starting, but he is a player who contributes everything. "We know about his ability and I'm glad I've been able to bring such great people and players into my career."