Manuel Neuer leaves the German national team after 15 years

Neuer wrote, announcing himself his departure from the representative group of his country, with which he experienced many successes.

The 38-year-old goalkeeper of Bayern Munich, Manuel Neuer, put an end to his 15-year presence in the German national team. One of the top goalkeepers that world football has known. Of course, Neuer will continue to offer his services to his team, Bayern Munich, which in the season that begins will try to regain the championship in the Bundesliga.

"After long and intense discussions with my family and friends, I have decided to end my career with the national team. Those who know me know that this was not an easy decision for me to make," says the 38-year-old goalkeeper, in a video posted on Instagram.

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Una publicación compartida de Manuel Neuer (@manuelneuer)

Manuel Neuer wrote, announcing himself his departure from the representative group of his country, with which he experienced many successes.

He was called up to the German Men's national team for the first time on May 19, 2009 for a tour in Asia. He made his debut on this tour on 2 June against the United Arab Emirates. And after he had been crowned European champion with the country's national team of hope.

He played in the November friendly against Ivory Coast which ended 2–2. Despite taking the blame for the first goal conceded, manager Joachim Loew refused to blame him and instead praised him for doing his best.

The death of Robert Enke in November 2009 made him the No. 2 goalkeeper of the German national team, behind Rene Adler. But Adler suffered a serious side injury and was ruled out of the 2010 World Cup squad.

He was selected as Germany's number one goalkeeper for the World Cup in South Africa. During the group stage, he conceded just one goal. Astonishingly, he provided the assist for Miroslav Klose in a commanding 4–1 win over England. He played in every World Cup match except the minor final against Uruguay, when Hans-Georg Butt was rewarded with a place in the starting line-up.

At the 2012 European Championship, he started in all three games of the group of death. He managed to keep a clean sheet against Portugal, while conceding 1 each in the games against Denmark and the Netherlands. The German national team came out first in the group, being the only team of the tournament to win all 3 games of their group. Neuer made two decisive saves against Portugal and 3 each against Holland and Denmark. In the quarter-finals his team beat Greece 4–2, while in the semi-finals they faced Italy, where they lost and were eliminated.

In the 2014 World Cup, he again started and remained a key player throughout the tournament. He kept a clean sheet in the first game, while conceding two goals in the second. And in the third again none. In the knockout phase he conceded two goals, while keeping a clean sheet in the final as well. He also won the "Golden Glove", an award given to the best goalkeeper of the tournament. Everyone remembers the saves he made against Algeria where he kept the German national team upright, in one of the most difficult games he faced.

He completed 124 appearances and celebrated winning the World Cup in 2014 in Brazil.

The President of FIFA

FIFA strongman Gianni Infantino also paid tribute to Manuel Neuer's international career following his retirement from the Germany national team.

"As a FIFA World Champion, The Best - FIFA World Goalkeeper 2020 and a two-time winner of the FIFA Club World Cup, Manuel Neuer has redefined the modern game of goalkeeping and his contribution to our great sport will continue to shape future generations." wrote the president of the world association on Instagram and published several photos of Neuer.

The 38-year-old Bayern Munich goalkeeper announced his resignation from the DFB club on Wednesday. But Neuer will continue to play for Germany's record champions. "I wish you nothing but the best," Infantino continued…