Because of Neuer: Kramer makes an angry appearance live on TV | OneFootball

The topic of Manuel Neuer is currently a major focus for fans, the media, and experts. The FC Bayern goalkeeper returned to the national team for the 2026 World Cup and has not had a standout tournament so far. The debates have become quite heated in the meantime. 

Timo Hildebrand, a former goalkeeper, criticized the way Neuer has been treated and also pointed to several defensive players as sources of error. He cannot understand why people are speaking about the goalkeeper in this manner.

However, no one can doubt that Neuer has lost some of his command of the game. This is evident, among other things, in his lack of precision in passing—both with his foot and on goal kicks.

Kramer Weighs In on the Neuer Debate

Christoph Kramer, a TV analyst for ZDF, has now weighed in on the debate and launched a broadside against the critics. And not just when it comes to Manuel Neuer. “Some of what we do in the German media is just insane! We tore into Leroy Sané for two weeks—and now he’s the only winner from yesterday. That’s just… you can’t even tell anyone that,” Kramer said on Friday.

Photo: IMAGO

The former pro then turned his attention to the Neuer debate. “I kind of have the feeling that we want our national team goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, to slip up so we can spark a heated goalkeeper debate. I stand by my opinion: I don’t think it’s good how critically, how badly or well—and only in superlatives—we view a team,” Kramer explained.

And: “It would be much healthier for all of us—and especially for everyone on the national team—if we approached this a bit more realistically. Everyone has to take a look at themselves first. I get the feeling that we’re being a bit envious, and that annoys me.”

Per Mertesacker, who was in the studio with Kramer, emphasized that it’s important to also take a critical look at ourselves—a point Kramer, who received a lot of applause for his earlier remarks, agreed with. But: “These are world-class players who play for the absolute top clubs. It’s not like they’re thrown off track just because they lost a game. And sure, not everything went well yesterday. In fact, a lot of it was bad. We don’t need to beat around the bush about that.”