Bayern legend reveals: Neuer has finally ticked off World Cup participation | OneFootball

The discussion about a possible World Cup comeback for Manuel Neuer continues to make headlines – but Bayern legend Sepp Maier does not believe that the 40-year-old will make another appearance for Germany

In an interview with the Abendzeitung München newspaper, the former world-class keeper made it clear that Neuer has closed the chapter on the national team for himself: „No, Manuel has ticked that off and emphasized it several times,“ explained Maier

For the 1974 world champion, a return of the Bayern captain to the World Cup would even be rather risky. „In my eyes, he could only lose out on a comeback – if it goes wrong,“ said Maier

Instead, the former Bayern goalkeeper believes that Neuer will deliberately use the summer break to regenerate

Particularly interesting: Maier even reported a personal exchange with Neuer: „I recently wrote him a message and congratulated him on one of his top performances: Are you still going to the World Cup?“ the Bayern legend said

Neuer’s answer was apparently clear: „No, Sepp. The two of us can meet up during the World Cup and watch one or two games on TV.“

Reports recently made the rounds that Nagelsmann had put Neuer on the extended DFB squad list for the World Cup, with the national coach keeping the option of taking the FCB captain to the World Cup open

Maier sees Urbig as the future of the DFB

photo: IMAGO

Instead of Neuer, Maier is clearly backing Jonas Urbig. According to media reports, the 22-year-old will be nominated by national coach Julian Nagelsmann as the third goalkeeper for the World Cup

That would be the perfect solution for Maier: „It would be a stroke of luck for him,“ explained the 81-year-old

The young Bayern keeper could experience the tournament without any great pressure and benefit enormously from the experience

Maier even drew a personal comparison with his own career: he himself was a substitute goalkeeper at the 1966 World Cup in England and was able to learn from legends such as Gordon Banks and Lev Yashin. „That shaped me,“ said Maier

The former national keeper was particularly clear in his assessment of Urbig’s potential. „I think the future belongs to Urbig,“ emphasized Maier, adding: „He will one day be the number one in the national team.“

This is an impressive endorsement of the young Bayern keeper by one of Germany’s greatest goalkeeping legends – while Manuel Neuer appears to have finally given up on the DFB.