The historic goalkeeper, who had returned from retirement in Germany to play one last World Cup at the request of Julian Nagelsmann, definitively closed his chapter after the penalty shootout loss against the Albirroja in the Round of 16
The outcome was especially painful for the 40-year-old goalkeeper. In a match with few emotions over the 120 minutes, Neuer kept Germany alive and even saved one of the penalties in the shootout, but it was not enough to avoid the surprising elimination against the South American team.
The elimination of Germany against Paraguay in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup marked much more than the end of the German team's participation. In addition to declaring the third consecutive disappointment for the European team since their triumph in 2014, it also meant the definitive farewell of one of the figures from that achievement: Manuel Neuer.
"It is extremely bitter that it all ended this way", acknowledged the goalkeeper after the penalty shootout that left Die Mannschaft out of the World Cup and closed the curtain on his international career for good.
Although Neuer had announced his retirement from the national team in August 2024, after the elimination in the Euro Cup, coach Julian Nagelsmann managed to convince him to return for his fifth World Cup. However, before the tournament began, the goalkeeper made it clear that this time there would be no turning back.
"For me, it is clear that this is my last tournament. I have no intention of being there in two years for the next Euro Cup. In recent days, I have come to terms with the fact that these are the last matches with Germany", he had stated before the tournament.
In this way, the Bayern Munich goalkeeper closed his chapter with 128 matches played and appearances in five World Cups: South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, Qatar 2022, and North America 2026.
His greatest achievement with the national team came in the 2014 edition, where he was one of the pillars of the team that won the title and received the Golden Glove as the best goalkeeper of the tournament. In addition to his successes, Neuer left a legacy that transcended results, revolutionizing the position with a style of play that combined security between the posts and constant participation outside the area, the famous "libero goalkeeper".
With his retirement, Germany loses one of the most influential footballers in its recent history and opens a new chapter with the challenge of finding a worthy successor to a goalkeeper who marked an era in world football.
