Manuel Neuer Comes Out of Retirement: Germany's 40-Year-Old Legend Returns for Fifth World Cup in Stunning Nagelsmann Recall

In one of the most dramatic pre-tournament developments, **Manuel Neuer** has come out of international retirement to answer Julian Nagelsmann's urgent call. The 40-year-old goalkeeper, who stepped away from Die Mannschaft after Euro 2024, will now travel to his **fifth World Cup** — a testament to both his enduring quality and Germany's sudden goalkeeping crisis.

The timeline tells the story. Marc-André ter Stegen — Germany's established number one — has been definitively ruled out with a long-term knee injury that failed to respond to treatment. Backup options Alexander Nübel and Oliver Baumann lack tournament experience at this level. Nagelsmann, facing a group stage against Curaçao, Ivory Coast, and Ecuador, determined that Neuer's leadership, presence, and sheer big-match know-how were irreplaceable.

Even at 40, Neuer remains one of football's most influential figures. His 2014 World Cup triumph — where his "sweeper-keeper" performances against Algeria and France redefined the position — remains the gold standard for modern goalkeeping. His 124 caps place him among Germany's most-capped players. A minor calf issue is being monitored ahead of the German Cup final, but Nagelsmann expressed "full confidence" that Neuer would be ready.

Neuer headlines a squad that blends veterans (Antonio Rüdiger, Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Leroy Sané) with generational talents (Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz, Kai Havertz). Serge Gnabry misses out through injury. Germany train in North Carolina from May 27, play warm-ups against Finland and the USA, and open their tournament against Curaçao on June 15.