Manuel Neuer, widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential goalkeepers in football history, has officially announced his retirement from international football.
The 38-year-old German goalkeeper, who was born on March 27, 1986, in Gelsenkirchen, confirmed his decision through a heartfelt video statement on Instagram.
In his announcement, Neuer reminisced about his cherished moments with the national team and expressed gratitude towards the German Football Association (DFB).
Neuer's illustrious career includes leading Germany to victory in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where he was awarded the Golden Glove for being the tournament's best goalkeeper.
He made his international debut in 2009 and earned 124 caps, making him the fifth highest capped player for Germany and the most capped goalkeeper in the nation's history.
Known for his "sweeper-keeper" style, Neuer revolutionized the role of the modern goalkeeper with his exceptional reflexes, shot-stopping abilities, and ability to play the ball with both feet. His playing style allowed him to rush off his line to anticipate opponents, often acting as an additional defender outside the penalty area.
Neuer's club career is equally impressive. After starting at Schalke 04, he joined Bayern Munich in 2011, where he has won 28 trophies, including eleven Bundesliga titles and two UEFA Champions League titles.
He holds numerous records in the Bundesliga, such as the most clean sheets recorded in the competition (224) and the fastest player to reach 100 clean sheets.
Despite his retirement from international duty, Neuer will continue to play for Bayern Munich. His decision comes after Germany's elimination from the group stage of the 2022 World Cup and their participation in the Euro 2024 championship, which was expected to be his last major international tournament.
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