Germany made a surprisingly slow start to their World Cup qualifiers two weeks ago, losing 2-0 in Slovakia. Meanwhile, former national team goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was able to enjoy a few relaxing days away from the pitch.
Even though Neuer didn’t play in Bratislava or in the subsequent home win against Northern Ireland in Cologne, his name was on everyone’s lips. Neuer announced his retirement from Germany back in August 2024, but calls for him to make a comeback refuse to die down.
Now 39, Neuer is seen by many as the best option to play in goal for Germany at the FIFA World Cup 26™, as he is still playing consistently and delivering top performances, but also because he could add some badly needed experience to Julian Nagelsmann’s much-changed squad.
Neuer remains a reliable presence for Bayern Munich, as was seen at the start of the new UEFA Champions League campaign. He was outstanding in his side’s 3-1 home victory over a Chelsea side that were recently crowned FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ winners.
“That was far from a routine win,” said Neuer, speaking to DAZN after the game. “The way we played and fought to overcome Chelsea was the icing on the cake. We were the better team and we were cooler on the ball.”
His choice of the word “cooler” raised a smile or two, although it’s unclear whether it was a little nod to Cole “Cold” Palmer, the only Chelsea player to beat Neuer on the night. But not even that goal, which came from a well-worked counter-attack and gave Neuer no chance, could spoil Bayern’s evening.
The win saw the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ winner join an elite club: he is now one of just four players to reach 100 Champions League wins – and he is in illustrious company alongside Cristiano Ronaldo (115), Thomas Muller (110) and Iker Casillas (101). Neuer reacted to the achievement with typical modesty: “It’s a nice number, but what really matters is being able to celebrate this victory together as a team. I hope I don’t look that old. I’m doing my best to stay fresh.”
And Bayern, too, are looking fresh at the moment: they are yet to lose a competitive match this season and gave an excellent account of themselves in their toughest test so far. Neuer attributes this to their summer schedule: “We performed at a high level in the Club World Cup and the tournament was good for us as a team. We definitely made some progress there.”
Against Chelsea, Neuer also became the oldest player in Bayern’s Champions League history at the age of 39 years and 174 days, surpassing Lothar Matthaus, who last appeared in the competition for Bayern back in 1999 aged 38 years and 353 days.
Neuer has little interest in personal records, though, so Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El Hadary’s record as the oldest player to feature in a World Cup when he lined up against Saudi Arabia at Russia 2018 at 45 years and 161 days is likely to be safe for now.
Just a few days ago, Neuer categorically ruled out a return to the national side after his agent sparked fresh speculation in the Frankfurter Rundschau newspaper. “If Julian Nagelsmann has a problem in that position, if Manuel is fit and if he is asked – then I’m sure Manu wouldn’t say no,” said Thomas Kroth.
But Neuer himself was quick to draw a line under the matter, quickly responding “yes” when asked if he still stood by his decision to retire.
However, if Nagelsmann’s preferred No1, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, continues to miss out at Barcelona, and if Neuer keeps delivering top performances, the debate over Germany’s goalkeeper is unlikely to cool down any time soon.
