Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer don come out of international retirement to join Germany squad for 2026 World Cup. Manager Julian Nagelsmann say the 40-year-old go be number one for the tournament.
Neuer, wey help Bayern win Bundesliga and reach Champions League semi-finals this season, play im last match for Germany for Euro 2024 quarter-final defeat against Spain. After that, he announce say he don end im international career, wey include winning 2014 World Cup for Brazil.
Nagelsmann talk say: “Everyone know the aura and quality wey Manu get, wetin he bring to team. We dey plan with am as our number one.”
Neuer don play for four World Cups. He join other older players wey dem select for this summer tournament, wey go happen across Canada, Mexico, and United States. Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo (41), Croatia midfielder Luka Modric (40), Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon (43), and Bosnia-Herzegovina Edin Dzeko (40) all dey inside their country squads.
Nagelsmann include five Premier League players for im 26-man squad: Arsenal Kai Havertz, Brighton Pascal Gross, Liverpool Florian Wirtz, and Newcastle United duo Malick Thiaw and Nick Woltemade. Bayern youngster Lennart Karl (18) and Galatasaray winger Leroy Sane also make cut.
Germany, wey don win World Cup four times, go open their campaign against Curacao on 14 June, then play Ivory Coast and Ecuador for Group E. Since winning 2014, Germany don exit at group stage for 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Nagelsmann say: “The statement stands. We want to become world champions. Every player wey dem nominate need to show am now every day.”
Neuer recall be blow to TSG Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann, wey dem assure say he be number one. Up to last week, Baumann dey talk say Nagelsmann tell am he go start for World Cup. Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, wey dem see as Neuer natural successor, don suffer many injuries and make only two appearances for Girona after joining on loan in January.
Baumann get 11 appearances for Germany, while Neuer get 124. Neuer last game na Euro 2024 quarter-final, 2-1 extra time loss to Spain. Clamor for Neuer inclusion grow after im outstanding performances for Bayern, especially against Real Madrid for Champions League quarter-finals.
But concern dey about recurring injuries. Neuer go off early for Bayern last Bundesliga game of season, and club say Sunday he “must take a break for the time being because of muscular problems in im left calf.” E no clear if Neuer go play for German Cup final against Stuttgart on Saturday.
DFB begin announce World Cup squad one by one on Thursday morning before Nagelsmann official announcement. Midfielder Joshua Kimmich be first to get im place confirmed, followed by Deniz Undav, Nico Schlotterbeck, Kai Havertz, and Bayern star Jamal Musiala. Musiala make squad after impressing for Bayern and proving fitness after recovering from broken leg for Club World Cup in July.
Eintracht Frankfurt left back Nathaniel Brown go get chance to add to im three appearances. Bayern forward Serge Gnabry ruled out with injury, while young Bayern teammate Lennart Karl win im race to be fit.
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