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Per a report from Sport Bild, Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will consider retiring from international football after the UEFA EURO 2020 competition. Neuer, who has been embroiled in a public spat with FC Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen over the past week, could make the “controversy” easier to deal with for Joachim Löw should be follow through on this plan:
According to our Information @Manuel_Neuer thinks about a Resignation from @DFB_Team after the Euro 2020 @SPORTBILD @altobelli13
— Christian Falk (@cfbayern) September 18, 2019
Neuer, Germany’s captain, would cause a shift in the team’s leadership structure should he retire as well.
BFW Analysis
There will be many candidates ready to compete for Neuer’s roster spot. Arsenal’s Bernd Leno and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Kevin Trapp have battled to be the team’s third goalkeeper for most of the past two years, while Sven Ulreich has also received a call. Schalke 04’s Alexander Nübel is considered a player who could assume the mantle of Germany’s top goalkeeper at some point in the future as well.
Regardless, Neuer’s performance this season for both club and country has been excellent. After battling injuries over the past three years, Neuer finally appears to be back to 100% and has shown the consistent play and excellent ability that has made many consider him to be one of the greatest who has ever plied his trade between the sticks.
Should Neuer retire from international play, he will be most remembered for his superb effort in helping Germany win the 2014 World Cup over Argentina in Brazil.