He follows fellow 2014 World Cup alumni Philipp Lahm, Miroslav Klose and Per Mertesacker in ending his worldwide career.
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Neuer made his debut with Die Mannschaft in 2009 against the United Arab Emirates and was a key part of Germany’s World Cup triumph in 2014. “We will see each other again in the future and, until then, I wish the national side all the best”. “I’m pleased to have been given the opportunity to play a testimonial. I’m not saying it’s impossible, but it’s very hard that an opportunity will arrive”, said the Reds’ boss.
“It meant so much to me and I feel a deep gratitude”.
Germany boss, Joachim Low, expressed his disappointment that the World Cup victor would be bowing out after 12 years with less than half of the 43,000 tickets sold by Monday. “I’m really looking forward to the evening”.
Though coach Joachim Loew has named Neuer as Schweinsteiger’s replacement, it will not be the first time Germany’s world-class goalkeeper will captain his country.
“That thought never crossed my mind, ” Schweinsteiger said.
“I listen to myself, listen to my heart”. We’ve talked a lot together, sometimes about things not regarding football and his authentic, his open and his honest manner has impressed me every time. “You need to be a bit consequential and I decided this way”.
Low said: “We are in a lucky situation of having numerous leading figures who have what it takes to be captain”.
“I think as long as I feel good and am able to perform on a high level I will keep playing because I love football so much”.
But Schweinsteiger reiterated that he will be ready to play for United whenever he’s called upon when he spoke to the media ahead of his last Germany game.
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They suffered uncharacteristic away defeats to Poland and Ireland on the road to June’s European Championship in France, but still finished top of their group, and Neuer says “die Mannschaft” can do better on the road to Russian Federation.
