Matthäus calls Neuer’s Germany comeback "the right decision"

German legend Lothar Matthäus has shared his thoughts on Manuel Neuer’s return to the national team ahead of the World Cup. 

Neuer, 40, announced his international retirement after Euro 2024, but has now reversed that decision to help his country at the tournament, as Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann announced on Thursday.

Matthäus has welcomed the move, arguing it could significantly strengthen Germany’s chances, although he also notes that Oliver Baumann performed well in goal throughout the qualification campaign.

“I’m glad that Julian changed his mind once again, but also Manuel Neuer. Because it wasn’t just the story that Julian Nagelsmann couldn’t, wouldn’t, or however you want to put it, rely on Manuel Neuer — Manuel Neuer had actually retired two years ago, and now this is a retirement from retirement,” Matthäus told Sky Germany.

“We in Germany are happy that Germany’s best goalkeeper is strengthening us at this World Cup, even though Oliver Baumann has delivered good performances up to this point. Especially in the national team jersey, he performed very well and played a good qualification campaign, but Manuel Neuer is outstanding. For me, it’s the right decision by Julian Nagelsmann that he convinced Manuel. And maybe not only Julian Nagelsmann, but also the Bayern Munich teammates who will be at the World Cup. Maybe Rudi Völler called him too. In any case, they courted him so that in the end he would at least take part in this World Cup.

"Especially after the World Cups we’ve experienced over the last eight to twelve years: the Italians weren’t even there, Germany was eliminated twice in the group stage. And of course, at this World Cup they want to do a lot better than they did at the previous two tournaments.”