Manuel Neuer has called time on his international career. The 40-year-old German goalkeeper confirmed his retirement following Germany’s exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, closing the book on one of the most decorated goalkeeping careers in the sport’s history.
And because this is 2026, someone naturally launched a meme token about it.
A career that redefined goalkeeping
Neuer’s departure from the international stage caps a run of 124 caps for Germany. His fifth World Cup appearance made him the oldest player ever to represent Germany at a major tournament, surpassing a record previously held by Lothar Matthäus, who set the mark at Euro 2000.
Neuer had initially stepped away from the national team after Euro 2024. But the pull of a home-region World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada, proved too strong. He reversed course and made himself available for what became his final international tournament.
