Lothar Matthäus says Manuel Neuer belongs in the national team but 2026 return unlikely | OneFootball

Lothar Matthäus praised Manuel Neuer after Bayern Munich’s 2-1 win at Real Madrid on Tuesday night, yet accepts a Germany comeback for the 2026 World Cup is improbable.

“This Neuer is world-class, he belongs in the national team. I hope Nagelsmann watches the game,” he told Sky Austria.

Neuer announced his international retirement in August 2024, leaving any potential U-turn for 2026 in doubt.

“I would indeed like to see Manuel Neuer in this form at the World Cup. But I also know that won't happen. Julian Nagelsmann won't open that door. And that's why Manuel's words about retiring remain set in stone," he told Sport BILD.

After the match in the Spanish capital, the 40-year-old said his focus is Bayern. “Should we bring that topic [2026 World Cup] up again now? No, it's important that we won this match at the Bernabéu with FC Bayern and that we try to confirm that in the return leg.”

“That's what's crucial, and everything else is irrelevant to me right now. We're not talking about the national team. I've said my piece, everything's relaxed, I'm concentrating on FC Bayern here,” he added.

Source: BuLi News