A return of goalkeeper Manuel Neuer into the German national team is not an issue at the moment, sporting director Rudi Völler said on Sunday. The 2014 World Cup winner Neuer retired from international duty last year but there have been calls for him because of the situation around new first-choice man Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
A return of goalkeeper Manuel Neuer into the German national team is not an issue at the moment, sporting director Rudi Völler said on Sunday.
The 2014 World Cup winner Neuer retired from international duty last year but there have been calls for him because of the situation around new first-choice man Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Ter Stegen is sidelined for the time being after back surgery, and he is no longer number one at his club Barcelona and could be struggling for playing time in the run-up to next year's World Cup.
Hoffenheim's Oliver Baumann has been deputising, and Völler said on Sky TV that a Neuer return is no issue although "I know the issue is interesting.
"A goalkeeper like Marc-Andre ter Stegen deserves it in the end to play a World Cup. Even though Oliver Baumann is doing a good job. Of course we hope that Marc-Andre returns," Völler said.
Völler stressed that ter Stegen will need club matches to be a contender for the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Neuer himself ruled out a return three weeks ago, saying "I decided for myself not to play in the national team anymore" and insisting this decision was final.
Germany play Luxembourg on Friday and in Northern Ireland three days later in their next qualifiers.
Category: General Sports
