For a man who has lifted a World Cup, a couple of Champions League trophies, and several Bundesliga titles, one fumble does not define him. He has been a pillar of strength and trust for Bayern for years and has remained solid throughout this campaign. In fact, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen struggling at Barcelona and now sidelined through injury, Germany’s goalkeeper dilemma has resurfaced, and there have been calls to bring the keeper out of retirement before the 2026 World Cup. However, Neuer, who walked away from the national team after Euro 2024, insisted that he has closed that chapter for good. 

“First of all, I wasn’t asked. It was a conscious decision on my part to leave the national team and retire,” Neuer said earlier in September. “So it’s not even an option for me.” 

After a brief pause, Neuer left the door slightly ajar and added: “I had a very successful and enjoyable time, and I’m not currently thinking at all about whether and how I could return to the national team. I have been with the team since 2009, and with the European Championship, it was a nice conclusion. I think I got a lot out of German football and maybe also gave German football a little something.”